Chapter 2 Test

Which of the following is not a criterion for defining something as a mineral?

• A) naturally occurring
• B) hard
• C) generally inorganic
• D) orderly crystalline structure

Which one of the following is not true for minerals?

• A) They have a specific, internal, crystalline structure.
• B) They can be a liquid, solid, or gas.
• C) Many have a specific, predictable chemical composition.
• D) They can be identified by characteristic physical properties.

The basic building blocks for halite are ________ and ________.

• A) Al; O
• B) C; Si
• C) Ca; K
• D) Na; Cl

The resistance of a mineral to abrasion is known as ________.

• A) luster
• B) cleavage
• C) streak
• D) hardness

The strong tendency of certain minerals to break along smooth, parallel planes is known as ________.

• A) streak
• B) cleavage
• C) cracking luster
• D) habit

What does the tendency of micas to produce thin cleavage flakes suggest about its crystal structure?

• A) The crystal structure is characterized by complex polymerized mats that form a sheetlike structure.
• B) The structure is characterized by rings that form an interlocking network, forming planar sheets.
• C) The structure is produced by flow in the igneous rock, aligning glass layers within the crystal structure.
• D) The atoms are arranged in orderly arrangements that form strongly bonded sheets separated by weak bonds between the sheets.

What theory dramatically improved geologist's ability to predict where certain ore deposits were formed?

• A) geosynclines
• B) faulting theory
• C) plate tectonics
• D) quantum mechanics

What time span is required to produce most mineral deposits?

• A) 1-100 years, or about a human life span
• B) tens of thousands to millions of years
• C) billions of years
• D) We have no way of knowing this, but most were formed at the same time as Earth.

A mineral is produced by its ability to transmit light. Opaque minerals always have a ________ luster because they ________ light.

• A) metallic; transmit
• B) metallic; do not transmit
• C) nonmetallic; transmit
• D) nonmetallic; do not transmit

Wood floats in water and rocks sink; thus, the density of wood is ________.

• A) higher than that of water
• B) lower than that of water
• C) exactly the same as water
• D) unable to be compared to water, as they are two different states of matter