Minerals Quiz

Which of the following describes a metallic mineral?

• silver

• a mineral that conducts electricity, has a shiny surface, and is opaque

• copper

• all of the above

Using the Mohs Hardness Scale above answer the following questions as true or false.

1. _____ Apatite would scratch fluorite but not topaz.

• True

• False

Using the Mohs Hardness Scale above answer the following questions as true or false.

2. _____ A steel nail would scratch quartz.

• True

• False

1. When determining the color of a mineral’s powder, what tool would you need?

• A. Glass Plate

• B. Unglazed porcelain tile (ceramic plate)

• C. Microscope

• D. Hydrochloric acid

2. Which mineral property refers to how easily a mineral can be scratched?

• A. Streak

• B. Density

• C. Hardness

• D. Fracture

7. Rubbing a mineral on a glass plate is testing which property?

• Streak

• Hardness

• Density

• Breakage

8. What are the two main types of luster?

• Metallic

• Glossy

• Nonmetallic

• Pearly

9. Which mineral is often used to enhance the flavor of food?

• Calcite

• Halite

• Flourite

• Magnetite

What is a mineral?

• A type of rock formed by high heat and pressure

• inorganic substances that have neatly arranged atoms and a definite composition

• A type of rock formed by volcanoes

• A type of rock formed from sediment

The manner in which a mineral breaks along curved or irregular surfaces

• streak

• cleavage

• fracture