Question 1

What is the relationship between density and specific gravity?

Accepted Answer

A)  They both have the same definition. 
B)  They both represent the same dimensional units. 
C)  They can have the same numerical value. 
D)  They both measure substances in the same way. 
A)  They both have the same definition. 
B)  They both represent the same dimensional units. 
C)  They can have the same numerical value. 
D)  They both measure substances in the same way. C

Question 2

How do geologists know that diamond is the hardest mineral?

Accepted Answer

A)  They conduct molecular analyses. 
B)  They conduct a crush test. 
C)  They conduct a scratch test. 
D)  They conduct a streak test. 
A)  They conduct molecular analyses. 
B)  They conduct a crush test. 
C)  They conduct a scratch test. 
D)  They conduct a streak test. C

Question 3

One mineral is held together by ionic bonds and the other by covalent bonds. Which is stronger?

Accepted Answer

A)  The one held together by covalent bonds is stronger. 
B)  They are equally weak. 
C)  The one held together by ionic bonds is stronger. 
D)  They are equally strong. 
A)  The one held together by covalent bonds is stronger. 
B)  They are equally weak. 
C)  The one held together by ionic bonds is stronger. 
D)  They are equally strong. A

Question 4

Why don't electrons contribute anything to the mass of an atom?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why don't electrons contribute anything to the...

Question 5

How does a TEM work?

Accepted Answer

A)  Electrons are shot at atoms; if they collide with electrons in the atoms, a shadow is made. 
B)  A magnetic field moves electrons in a substance, leaving an impression. 
C)  Light rays are shot at the electrons, and a microscopic camera takes a photograph of the result. 
D)  Protons are shot at atoms; if they collide with electrons in the atoms, an shadow is made. 
A)  Electrons are shot at atoms; if they collide with electrons in the atoms, a shadow is made. 
B)  A magnetic field moves electrons in a substance, leaving an impression. 
C)  Light rays are shot at the electrons, and a microscopic camera takes a photograph of the result. 
D)  Protons are shot at atoms; if they collide with electrons in the atoms, an shadow is made.

Question 6

Separating lead, copper, zinc, and iron from the sulfur atoms produces sulfuric acid as a by-product. Why is this a problem?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sulfuric acid is useless and yields no profit. 
B)  Sulfuric acid, when released into the atmosphere, combines with vapor to produce acid rain. 
C)  Sulfuric acid is extremely profitable, but not in the form it is produced through this process. 
D)  Lead, copper, zinc and iron are wasted in producing sulfuric acid, which is more profitable. 
A)  Sulfuric acid is useless and yields no profit. 
B)  Sulfuric acid, when released into the atmosphere, combines with vapor to produce acid rain. 
C)  Sulfuric acid is extremely profitable, but not in the form it is produced through this process. 
D)  Lead, copper, zinc and iron are wasted in producing sulfuric acid, which is more profitable.

Question 7

The number of neutrons defines a particular element.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

How many angstroms can you fit in an inch?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How many angstroms can you fit in...

Question 9

Why do TEM images not form well in crystals with a random arrangement of atoms?

Accepted Answer

A)  With randomly arranged atoms, there is a greater chance that the electrons will miss the atoms, resulting in poor images. 
B)  Crystals with random arrangements of atoms often have a more reflective surface, so the electrons bounce off the surface of the crystal, resulting in poor images. 
C)  A random arrangement of atoms in a crystal means that the atoms are extremely small, resulting in poor images. 
D)  A random arrangement of atoms in a crystal means that the atoms are extremely large, resulting in poor images. 
A)  With randomly arranged atoms, there is a greater chance that the electrons will miss the atoms, resulting in poor images. 
B)  Crystals with random arrangements of atoms often have a more reflective surface, so the electrons bounce off the surface of the crystal, resulting in poor images. 
C)  A random arrangement of atoms in a crystal means that the atoms are extremely small, resulting in poor images. 
D)  A random arrangement of atoms in a crystal means that the atoms are extremely large, resulting in poor images.

Question 10

Minerals form under a narrow range of physical and chemical conditions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Color is always a reliable property for identifying a mineral.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Which factor determines whether calcite or aragonite will form?

Accepted Answer

A)  temperature 
B)  pressure 
C)  time 
D)  the atoms present 
A)  temperature 
B)  pressure 
C)  time 
D)  the atoms present

Question 13

All major rock forming minerals are silicates.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Each mineral has a definitive, but possibly slightly varying, chemical composition.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

A mineral is labeled in the lab: .5 kg/m3. What could this value represent?

Accepted Answer

A)  specific gravity. 
B)  hardness. 
C)  luster. 
D)  density. 
A)  specific gravity. 
B)  hardness. 
C)  luster. 
D)  density.

Question 16

You find a rock and you think the mineral makeup is calcite. What evidence would indicate this?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is hard, therefore it is calcite. 
B)  It breaks into 6-sided pieces, therefore it is calcite. 
C)  It is pink, therefore it is calcite. 
D)  It is very heavy, therefore it is calcite. 
A)  It is hard, therefore it is calcite. 
B)  It breaks into 6-sided pieces, therefore it is calcite. 
C)  It is pink, therefore it is calcite. 
D)  It is very heavy, therefore it is calcite.

Question 17

Two minerals are clearly different (based on hardness and cleave) but have the same color. What can be done to identify the minerals based on color?

Accepted Answer

A)  Submerge the minerals. 
B)  Hit them with a hammer. 
C)  Conduct a streak test. 
D)  Weigh them. 
A)  Submerge the minerals. 
B)  Hit them with a hammer. 
C)  Conduct a streak test. 
D)  Weigh them.

Question 18

Why is gemology considered a separate field from geology or mineralogy?

Accepted Answer

deals with

Question 19

Why do "shadows" result in TEM images?

Accepted Answer

A)  Light does not pass through the atoms, resulting in shadows. 
B)  Electrons are stopped by atoms, resulting in shadows. 
C)  There are no objects for the electrons to hit, which results in shadows. 
D)  Electrons pass through the atoms, resulting in shadows. 
A)  Light does not pass through the atoms, resulting in shadows. 
B)  Electrons are stopped by atoms, resulting in shadows. 
C)  There are no objects for the electrons to hit, which results in shadows. 
D)  Electrons pass through the atoms, resulting in shadows.

Question 20

A student breaks a piece of quartz and notices that it splits into irregular-shaped, jagged pieces, whereas calcite, when broken, will split into smooth, flat pieces. Which of the following properties of minerals is the student observing?

Accepted Answer

A)  cleavage 
B)  luster 
C)  streak 
D)  color 
A)  cleavage 
B)  luster 
C)  streak 
D)  color

Exam 2: Minerals: Building Blocks of the Planet

What is the relationship between density and specific gravity?

How do geologists know that diamond is the hardest mineral?

One mineral is held together by ionic bonds and the other by covalent bonds. Which is stronger?

Why don't electrons contribute anything to the mass of an atom?

How does a TEM work?

Separating lead, copper, zinc, and iron from the sulfur atoms produces sulfuric acid as a by-product. Why is this a problem?

The number of neutrons defines a particular element.

How many angstroms can you fit in an inch?

Why do TEM images not form well in crystals with a random arrangement of atoms?

Minerals form under a narrow range of physical and chemical conditions.

Color is always a reliable property for identifying a mineral.

Which factor determines whether calcite or aragonite will form?

All major rock forming minerals are silicates.

Each mineral has a definitive, but possibly slightly varying, chemical composition.

A mineral is labeled in the lab: .5 kg/m3. What could this value represent?

You find a rock and you think the mineral makeup is calcite. What evidence would indicate this?

Two minerals are clearly different (based on hardness and cleave) but have the same color. What can be done to identify the minerals based on color?

Why is gemology considered a separate field from geology or mineralogy?

Why do "shadows" result in TEM images?

A student breaks a piece of quartz and notices that it splits into irregular-shaped, jagged pieces, whereas calcite, when broken, will split into smooth, flat pieces. Which of the following properties of minerals is the student observing?

Why Study Earth

Rocks and Rock-Forming Processes

Formation of Magma and Igneous Rocks

Formation of Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks

Formation of Metamorphic Rocks

Earth Materials As Time Keepers

Earth Materials As Time Keepers

Making Earth

Motion Inside Earth

Deformation of Rocks

Global Tectonics: Plates and Plumes

Tectonics and Surface Relief

Soil Formation and Landscape Stability

Mass Movements: Landscapes in Motion

Streams: Flowing Water Shapes the Landscape

Water Flowing Underground

Glaciers: Cold-Climate Sculptors of Continents

Shorelines: Changing Landscapes Where Land Meets Sea

Wind: a Global Geologic Process

Global Warming: Real Time Change in the Earth System

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