Rocks and Minerals Test Review

Which object would scratch calcite, but not fluorite?

• Fingernail

• Copper Penny

• Knife/Glass Plate

• Steel Nail

• Masonry Drill Bit

Which object would scratch apatite, but not orthoclase?

• Fingernail

• Copper Penny

• Knife/Glass Plate

• Steel Nail

• Masonry Drill Bit

Which object would scratch gypsum, but not calcite?

• Fingernail

• Copper Penny

• Knife/Glass Plate

• Steel Nail

• Masonry Drill Bit

Which mineral property describes the color of a mineral’s powder after rubbing the mineral on a porcelain tile?

• Streak

• Luster

• Hardness

• Breaking pattern

• Color

Which mineral property would not be good as the only indicator when identifying a mineral?

• Streak

• Luster

• Hardness

• Breaking pattern

• Color

Which mineral property looks at how a mineral's surface looks when it reflects light?

• Streak

• Luster

• Hardness

• Breaking pattern

• Color

Which breaking pattern describes how a mineral breaks along flat surfaces?

• Cleavage

• Fracture

Which breaking pattern describes how a mineral breaks along irregular surfaces?

• Cleavage

• Fracture

You have two white minerals. What identification tests could you use to identify the unknown minerals?

• Color

• Hardness

• Luster

• Streak

What type of mineral makes up most of Earth's crust?

• Gems

• Carbonates

• Halides

• Silicates