Unit 4 Review-Earth's Materials

During a fun science experiment, Ava, Isla, and Evelyn discovered an unidentified mineral sample. They found out that it can scratch gypsum but is unable to scratch quartz. What property of the sample were they observing? Was it A) luster, B) hardness, C) density, or D) reactivity?

• luster

• hardness

• density

• reactivity

Answer explanation

• Earth materials take many different forms as they cycle through the geosphere (ES.4 a).  

• A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic, solid substance (at room temperature), with a definite chemical composition and a defined geometric arrangement of atoms (a crystalline structure). A mineral can be identified by its specific chemical and physical properties. The appearance and properties of the mineral can vary due to inclusion of other elements, rate of cooling/crystallization, and space (ES.4 a).

Using the Mohs scale shown, select the minerals that will NOT be scratched by a steel file with a hardness of 6.5?

Answer explanation

Quartz, Topaz, Corundum, and Diamond are all above 6.5 which means they would not be scratched.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which mineral exhibits fracture?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

• Different minerals have different internal arrangements of atoms, with certain minerals having planes of weaker bonds in one or more directions. When hit, some minerals may tend to break regularly along planes of weakness (ES.4 a).  

The major elements found in Earth’s crust are oxygen, silicon, aluminum, and iron (ES.4 a).  Silicate minerals are composed of silica tetrahedra (SiO4-2) that are organized in various patterns and frequently bonded with metal cations. Silicate minerals are the largest rock-forming group and comprise over 90 percent of crustal materials (ES.4 a).

Evelyn, Grace, and Henry are on a quest to find a real mineral. They have a list of criteria but are not sure which ones are correct. Can you help them? Which of the following criteria must be met to be considered a mineral? Select all that apply.

• Consistent chemical composition

• Made of various types of minerals

• Organic

• Inorganic

• Crystalline solid

Answer explanation

The structure of a mineral determines many of its properties and functions. The chemical and physical properties of minerals are used to classify minerals.

Imagine Isla, Abigail, and Avery are on a thrilling adventure in a mysterious cave. They stumble upon a broken crystal of the mineral halite. The shape of the halite crystal is a direct result of what? Could it be the internal arrangement of the atoms in the crystal, the temperature at which the crystal formed, the type of surface on which the crystal formed, or was it stream erosion that changed the crystal?

• internal arrangement of the atoms in the crystal

• temperature at which the crystal formed

• type of surface on which the crystal formed

• stream erosion that changed the crystal

Answer explanation

The carbonate group of minerals is composed of the carbonate ion (CO3-2) and metal cations (ES.4 a).  The oxide group of minerals is composed of oxygen and a metal (ES.4 a).

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Select all the characteristics that help a scientist in the field determine the name of an unknown mineral.

Answer explanation

Hardness, Density, Streak, Reactivity with acid-each of these chemical and physical properties can be used to help identify unknown materials.

Priya, Sophia, and Daniel are on a science adventure! They stumbled upon a mysterious mineral and want to measure its density. Which tools would be the best for them to use? A barometer and a balance, a density probe and 500 mL beaker, a metric ruler and metal detector, or a graduated cylinder and a balance?

• a barometer and a balance

• a density probe and 500 mL beaker

• a metric ruler and metal detector

• a graduated cylinder and a balance

Answer explanation

Within natural and designed systems, it is possible to track the flow, cycles, and conservation of matter and energy. Earth materials take many different forms as they cycle through the geosphere.

Luna, Nora, and Michael are on a treasure hunt in Virginia! They come across a map that mentions some major rock and mineral resources. Can you help them identify which of the following are some of the major rock and mineral resources in Virginia?

• Diamonds, sapphires, and rubies

• Coal, limestone and titanium

• Sulfur, fluorite, and cobalt

• Gold, silver, and copper

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Match the mineral to its corresponding use. Mica, Diamond, Fledspar, or Galena

• Feldspar

• Lead

• Mica

• Drill bits

• Diamond

• Glass

• Galena

• Electrical Insulator

Answer explanation

• The processes by which rocks are formed define the three major groups of rocks (ES.5 a).  

• The traditional rock cycle is a model that shows the processes by which all rocks are formed and shows how basic Earth materials are recycled through time. The rock cycle does not show the evolutionary nature of processes that yield the increased volume of less-dense, silica-rich rocks and continental crust over time (ES.5 b).

Imagine this, William, Jackson, and Elijah are on a thrilling adventure exploring a mysterious land. They stumble upon a rock formation that contains fossils. Over time, they notice that due to tremendous heat and pressure, the formation changes to produce a harder rock formation without fossils. Can you guess what change in rock type has occurred in this land area?

• Igneous rock has turned into sedimentary rock

• Igneous rock has turned into metamorphic rock

• Sedimentary rock has turned into igneous rock

• Sedimentary rock has turned into metamorphic rock

Answer explanation

• Rock material in the lithosphere (crust and upper mantle) is generally solid and relatively rigid. The rock of the deeper mantle may exhibit plastic flow but is not uniformly molten (ES.5 b).  

• Molten rock develops in the crust and mantle when  

  • temperature is high enough to bring about partial melting 

  • sudden reduction in pressure (as with faulting) allows melting  

  • the presence of water (or other volatiles) reduces the melting point of the parent material (ES.5 b).

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2