Exploring Minerals in Earth Science

Which of the following is NOT a criterion for a substance to be classified as a mineral?

• Made in nature

• Organic origin

• Solid state

• Consistent chemical structure

Why are minerals considered the building blocks of rocks?

• They are larger than rocks

• They give rocks their color

• They form the basic components of rocks

• They are found only in rocks

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

What makes each mineral unique in its characteristics?

• The color of the mineral

• The internal arrangement of atoms

• The size of the mineral

• The location where it is found

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Which mineral is always olive green in color?

• Olivine

• Feldspar

• Quartz

• Sulfur

What does the term 'luster' refer to in mineral identification?

• The color of the mineral

• The way light reflects off the surface

• The hardness of the mineral

• The shape of the mineral

How is the streak of a mineral determined?

• By scratching it on a glass plate

• By observing its color

• By rubbing it across a porcelain plate

• By measuring its hardness

What is the term for a mineral breaking along a flat surface?

• Fracture

• Luster

• Streak

• Cleavage

On Mohs hardness scale, what is the hardness of glass?

• 7.5

• 6.5

• 5.5

• 4.5

Which mineral property involves glowing under a blacklight?

• Reaction with hydrochloric acid

• Magnetism

• Double refraction

• Fluorescence

What happens when calcite reacts with hydrochloric acid?

• It glows

• It becomes magnetic

• It shows double refraction

• It bubbles

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2