Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a mineral?

Accepted Answer

A) quartz 
B) diamond 
C) petroleum 
D) gold

Question 2

All minerals are chemical compounds (composed of more than one element).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

The most useful diagnostic property of minerals is their color in a hand sample.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Ore minerals,such as galena and hematite,tend to be distinct in their very ____________.

Accepted Answer

A) dark coloration 
B) diamond-like crystal habit 
C) great specific gravity 
D) vitreous luster

Question 5

The single property that can be used to identify any mineral is ____________.

Accepted Answer

A) color 
B) luster 
C) cleavage 
D) None of the above are correct;multiple properties must be used to diagnose a mineral.

Question 6

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

Question 7

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 are minerals;however,C is a mineral.

Question 8

Five trillion atoms can fit into the head of an atom.Which of the following is in the correct order of smallest to largest?

Accepted Answer

A) atom,nucleus,proton,electron 
B) electron,proton,nucleus,atom 
C) proton,electron,nucleus,atom 
D) atom,electron,nucleus,proton

Question 9

In nature most examples of minerals do NOT grow as large,well-formed,euhedral crystals.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a way crystals can form?

Accepted Answer

A) solidification of a melt 
B) precipitation from solution 
C) solid-state diffusion 
D) biomineralization 
E) precipitation from gas
F)None of the above are correct.

Question 11

The silica tetrahedron that forms the backbone of all the silicate minerals is composed of silicon and what other element?

Accepted Answer

A) magnesium 
B) oxygen 
C) iron 
D) carbon

Question 12

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 13

Which of the following minerals is softest?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

Which common gemstone results from biomineralization?

Accepted Answer

A) diamonds 
B) garnets 
C) pearls 
D) sapphires

Question 15

In silicate minerals,tetrahedra may be coordinated to form ____________.

Accepted Answer

A) long one-dimensional chains 
B) extensive two-dimensional sheets 
C) massive three-dimensional frameworks 
D) All of the above are correct.

Question 16

A single mineral may take on multiple crystalline lattice structures.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

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

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 19

Synthetically made glass and natural quartz crystals both exhibit a fracture pattern termed ____________.

Accepted Answer

A) glassy 
B) conchoidal 
C) serpentine 
D) obtuse

Question 20

Minerals can be destroyed by ___________ .

Accepted Answer

A) melting 
B) chemical reactions 
C) dissolving 
D) All of the above are correct.

Exam 5: Patterns in Nature: Minerals

Which of the following is NOT a mineral?

All minerals are chemical compounds (composed of more than one element).

The most useful diagnostic property of minerals is their color in a hand sample.

Ore minerals,such as galena and hematite,tend to be distinct in their very ____________.

The single property that can be used to identify any mineral is ____________.

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

Which of the following is NOT a mineral?

Five trillion atoms can fit into the head of an atom.Which of the following is in the correct order of smallest to largest?

In nature most examples of minerals do NOT grow as large,well-formed,euhedral crystals.

Which of the following is NOT a way crystals can form?

The silica tetrahedron that forms the backbone of all the silicate minerals is composed of silicon and what other element?

Cleavage in minerals refers to ____________.

Which of the following minerals is softest?

Which common gemstone results from biomineralization?

In silicate minerals,tetrahedra may be coordinated to form ____________.

A single mineral may take on multiple crystalline lattice structures.

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

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

Synthetically made glass and natural quartz crystals both exhibit a fracture pattern termed ____________.

Minerals can be destroyed by ___________ .