Minerals Quiz

Front

Naturally occurring inorganic solid with crystal structure

Back

Mineral

Answer explanation

A mineral is defined as a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a crystal structure and a specific chemical composition. This distinguishes it from rocks, metals, and glass, which do not meet all these criteria.

Front

Mineral chemical composition

Back

Definite or range of compositions

Answer explanation

A mineral must have a definite chemical composition or a range of compositions, distinguishing it from other substances. This characteristic is essential for classifying and identifying minerals.

Front

Characteristic NOT of minerals

Back

Must be a gas

Answer explanation

Minerals must be solid, inorganic, and have a definite chemical composition. They cannot be gases, making 'Must be a gas' the correct choice as it is NOT a characteristic of minerals.

Front

Significance of definite chemical composition in minerals

Back

Remains constant

Answer explanation

A mineral's definite chemical composition means it has a specific arrangement of elements that remains constant, distinguishing it from other substances. This stability is crucial for identifying and classifying minerals.

Front

Mohs hardness scale

Back

Ranks ten minerals from softest to hardest

Answer explanation

The Mohs hardness scale ranks ten minerals based on their ability to scratch one another, from softest (talc) to hardest (diamond). Therefore, the correct choice is 'Ten minerals from softest to hardest'.

Front

NOT a step in metal production

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Painting the metal

Answer explanation

Painting the metal is not a step in producing metal from a mineral. The correct steps include prospecting for rocks, mining ore deposits, and smelting the rock to extract the metal.

Front

Solid substance with orderly, repeating atoms

Back

Crystal

Answer explanation

A crystal is a solid substance with atoms arranged in an orderly, repeating three-dimensional pattern, distinguishing it from rocks and lava, which do not have this specific structure.

Front

Mineral powder color on surface

Back

Streak

Answer explanation

The term 'streak' refers to the color of a mineral powder left when it is scraped across a surface, making it a key method for classifying minerals. This distinguishes it from other properties like color, hardness, and cleavage.

Front

Property of a mineral reflecting light

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Luster

Answer explanation

Luster is the property of a mineral that describes how light reflects off its surface, indicating its appearance and shine. This makes 'Luster' the correct answer, while 'Fracture', 'Cleavage', and 'Crystal' refer to different characteristics.

Front

Mineral property: tendency to break along flat surfaces

Back

Cleavage

Answer explanation

The property that describes a mineral's tendency to break along flat surfaces is called cleavage. This is distinct from fracture, which refers to irregular breakage.