Midterm Review

Front

What are deep mantle hot spots?

Back

Deep mantle hot spots are volcanic regions thought to be fed by underlying mantle that is anomalously hot compared with the surrounding mantle. They are associated with volcanic activity, such as the volcanoes of Hawaii.

Front

What mineral reacts readily with hydrochloric acid to produce bubbles of carbon dioxide?

Back

Calcite reacts readily with cool, dilute hydrochloric acid, producing visible bubbles of carbon dioxide gas.

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and an orderly crystalline structure.

Front

What surrounds the ion at the center of a silicate tetrahedron?

Back

The ion at the center of a silicate tetrahedron is surrounded by 4 oxygen ions.

Front

What is the chemical composition of quartz?

Back

Quartz is composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2).

Front

What is the definition of a mineral's crystalline structure?

Back

A mineral's crystalline structure refers to the orderly arrangement of atoms within the mineral, which determines its physical properties.

Front

What is the difference between organic and inorganic minerals?

Back

Organic minerals contain carbon and are derived from living organisms, while inorganic minerals do not contain carbon and are formed through geological processes.

Front

What is the significance of the term 'definite chemical composition' in minerals?

Back

Definite chemical composition means that a mineral has a specific chemical formula that does not vary, distinguishing it from other minerals.

Front

What are silicate minerals?

Back

Silicate minerals are the most abundant group of minerals in the Earth's crust, characterized by the presence of silicate tetrahedra (SiO4) in their structure.

Front

What is the role of oxygen in silicate tetrahedra?

Back

Oxygen atoms bond with silicon in silicate tetrahedra, forming the basic building block of silicate minerals.