Properties and Characteristics of Minerals

Multiple Choice

A mineral is a _________ occurring, inorganic, solid.

• unnaturally

• naturally

Multiple Choice

All minerals must be formed from _______ processes on Earth.

• inorganic

• natural

• fake

Multiple Choice

What is term used to describe substances that are not living, or materials that once were living?

• inorganic

• organic

Multiple Choice

TRUE OR FALSE? Particles that make up a mineral DO NOT have to line up in a repeating crystalline-forming pattern.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

The chemical compositions of all minerals must be either _____ or varying (within certain limits).

• mixed

• fixed

• melted

Multiple Select

Each mineral must have a definite _____ and definite ______. (choose the 2 correct answers)

• shape

• size

• volume

Multiple Choice

TRUE OR FALSE? In order to identify minerals, there are certain categories that classify them.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

TRUE OR FALSE? There are very many minerals that can be identified because of their unique color.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

What is the term used to describe the color of a mineral’s powder when it is scrapes against a streak plate.

• stroke

• strike

• streak

• steak

Multiple Select

Luster is defined as how light is reflected from a mineral’s surface. Choose the 3 correct example options below.

• Dully

• Glassy

• Hardness

• Plastic

Multiple Choice

How many minerals are used on the Mohs Hardness scale to determine ranking?

• 7

• 8

• 9

• 10

Multiple Choice

Minerals have a density that can be determined by using a formula. Which formula is the correct one?

• mass/volume = density

• volume/mass = density

• mass x volume = density

Multiple Choice

When a mineral breaks easily along flat surfaces, it has ________.

• luster

• hardness

• cleavage

• fracture

Multiple Choice

TRUE OR FALSE? A mineral that breaks apart irregularly is described as fracture. This is the opposite of cleavage.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

The structure of the atoms within a mineral can be grouped into ___ different categories, depending on the number, size, and angle of the faces.

• three

• four

• five

• six