Minerals Quiz

Minerals can be identified by observing theirs _____________ properties.

• chemical

• physical

• color

• hardness

A ______ is the hardest mineral and ______ is the softest mineral.

• talc, diamond

• topaz, talc

• diamond, talc

• diamond, quartz

______ determines a mineral's physical properties.

• characteristics

• crystal or atomic structure

• properties

• age

A mineral can be formed in which of the following ways?

• mining ore

• condensation

• breaking rocks apart

• evaporation of water solutions

Which is NOT a criteria to be a mineral?

• solid

• inorganic

• naturally occuring

• man-made

Which of the following properties does the Moh's scale measure?

• luster specific gravity

• luster

• streak

• hardness

Which of the following is NOT a way to identify an unknown mineral?

• luster

• streak

• hardness

• solid

Coal was formed approximately 300 million years ago from the remains of trees and other vegetation. Why is coal not a mineral?

• it is not a solid

• it is man-made

• it is organic

• it is made of carbon

Streak is the color of a mineral's powder.

• True

• False

Which term might be used to describe a mineral's luster?

• dull

• metallic

• nonmetallic

• all of these