Question 1

Cleavage in minerals refers to ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  a tendency to break in an irregular pattern 
B)  a tendency to break along planes of weakness 
C)  the sharpness of edges between crystal faces 
D)  the development of distinct crystal faces

Question 2

Two types of bonds that depend upon polarity are ____________ and ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  hydrogen bonds; van der Waals bonds 
B)  ionic bonds; covalent bonds 
C)  hydrogen bonds; metallic bonds 
D)  ionic bonds; van der Waals bonds

Question 3

The internal ordering of mineral crystals is detected using ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  magnetic resonance imaging 
B)  X-ray diffraction 
C)  a scanning electron microscope (SEM) 
D)  cathodized axial tomography

Question 4

Minerals are classified into groups known as mineral classes primarily on a basis of ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  chemistry, specifically the cations within the chemical formula 
B)  chemistry, specifically the anions within the chemical formula 
C)  hardness; hard, soft, and medium are the three primary classes 
D)  number of cleavage directions present

Question 5

Minerals in geodes (see below)form spectacular euhedral crystals because ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  all of the elements incorporated in the crystals are in plentiful supply 
B)  the crystals have abundant room to grow in their hollow surroundings 
C)  minerals within geodes are always framework silicates 
D)  minerals within geodes always contain iron

Question 6

Which two gems are special versions of the common mineral corundum (Al₂O₃)?

Accepted Answer

A)  emeralds and rubies 
B)  emeralds and sapphires 
C)  aquamarines and emeralds 
D)  sapphires and rubies

Question 7

The most abundant minerals belong to a chemical group termed the ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  silicates 
B)  carbonates 
C)  halides 
D)  oxides

Question 8

Diamonds are usually found in pipes 50 to 200 m across made of _____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  kimberlite 
B)  graphite 
C)  metamorphic rocks

Question 9

Which of the following minerals is softest?

Accepted Answer

A)  quartz 
B)  calcite 
C)  talc 
D)  fluorite

Question 10

Why might diamonds be found in other locations besides kimberlite pipes?

Accepted Answer

A)  erosion and transportation by rivers 
B)  transportation by glaciers 
C)  transportation by the meteorites 
D)  Both a and b are correct. 
E)  Both a and c are correct.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a mineral?

Accepted Answer

A)  petroleum (oil), which is a liquid 
B)  cubic zirconia, which is a synthetic diamond substitute that is not found in nature 
C)  ice, which is water in the solid state 
D)  Neither a nor b is a mineral; however, c is a mineral.

Question 12

With regard to minerals,hardness refers to ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  the ability to resist breaking when being struck with a hammer 
B)  the ability to resist being scratched by other substances 
C)  the ability to resist chemical reactions with other substances 
D)  an absence of cleavage

Question 13

The diamonds we see today do not display their natural crystal faces,but rather ____________,a typical engagement ring bearing 57 of them.

Accepted Answer

A)  faces 
B)  facets 
C)  cleavage planes 
D)  facades

Question 14

In which type of silicate are the greatest proportion of oxygen atoms shared by pairs of adjacent tetrahedra?

Accepted Answer

A)  chain silicates 
B)  framework silicates 
C)  sheet silicates 
D)  Sharing of oxygen atoms does not occur in silicates.

Question 15

Natural glass is NOT considered a mineral because it ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  is not produced by geologic processes 
B)  is organic 
C)  does not have an organized crystalline structure 
D)  can be made synthetically as well as being a naturally occurring substance

Question 16

Gemstones are commonly found in pegmatites,which are igneous rocks that are ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  exceptionally mafic 
B)  extrusive, forming from lava 
C)  exceptionally coarse grained 
D)  exceptionally fine grained

Question 17

____________ is a mineral property defined by the density of the mineral sample divided by the density of water (1g/cm³).

Accepted Answer

A)  Color 
B)  Specific gravity 
C)  Luster 
D)  Streak

Question 18

All minerals are held together by ionic bonds.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Minerals are all naturally occurring solid substances with a definable chemical composition.They must also possess ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  an ability to be synthesized in the laboratory as well as being found in nature 
B)  metallic elements, such as iron, calcium, or magnesium 
C)  metallic luster 
D)  a fixed crystalline structure (spatial arrangement of atoms and ions)

Question 20

When in contact with hydrochloric acid,which mineral gives off bubbles of carbon dioxide gas?

Accepted Answer

A)  quartz 
B)  halite 
C)  calcite 
D)  fluorite

Exam 3: Patterns in Nature: Minerals