minerals and igneous rocks quiz

The color of a mineral in powder form is called?

• hardness
• specific gravity
• luster
• streak

How light reflects off of a mineral is called?

• luster
• streak
• cleavage
• fracture

How do you test the hardness of a mineral? 

• Throw it against a wall
• Step on it
• Scratch Test
• Kick it until it breaks

What mineral is used for pencils?

• Graphite
• Galena
• Magnetite
• Quartz

Diamond and graphite are both minerals that are composed of the element carbon. Diamond has a hardness of 10, while graphite has a hardness of 1. What is the most probable cause of this difference in hardness?

• internal arrangement of atoms

• diamond is heavier

• graphite is lighter

• mineral color

Minerals are identified on the basis of:

• the method by which they were formed

• the type of rock in which they are formed

• the size of their crystals

• their physical and chemical properties

What do you call the tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces?

• Cleavage

• Streak

• Luster

• Fracture

This mineral is colorless, glassy, has cubic cleavage (3 at 90) and a distinct salty taste.

• Calcite

• Halite

• Fluorite

• Gypsum

Which of these minerals is softer than glass?

• Topaz 
• Corundum 
• Calcite 
• Orthoclase 

What is the basic atomic structure that forms when oxygen and silicon unite?

• tetrahedron

• sphere

• cube

• cylinder