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WorksheetsAre you ready for the Minerals Quest?
Total questions: 28
Worksheet time: 14mins
The mineral Cuprite is a compound with the chemical formula Cu2O. What is the samllest unit of the mineral Cuprite?
element
atom
molecule
mixture
Using the chart, what test would be the best to distinguish between Quartz and Halite?
Color
Luster
Hardness
Streak
Diamonds are extremely effective at polishing, cutting, and drilling so diamond particles are often added to drills and saws. Why are diamonds so useful for these purposes?
Diamonds have a density of 3.5g/cm3
Diamonds have a hardness of 10
Diamonds are rare and beautiful
Diamonds come in many different colors
When HCl reacts with the carbonates in minerals you see bubbles as CO2 is releases. Why is this an example of a chemical reaction?
The mineral breaks apart
The mineral fluoresces
The mineral changes color
A new substance is produced
The Wieliczka Salt mine in Poland used to have a series of large underground salt water lakes most of which which have since dried up. The area currently contains a huge amount of the mineral halite. This halite formed as a result of:
conservation
evaporation
sublimation
condensation
Sphalerite (ZnS), an ore, is a source of zinc. The demand for zinc is high because it is used to galvanise other metals, such as iron, to prevent rusting. Why is sphalerite considered an ore?
Around 95% of all zinc is extracted from sphaleritic ores
Zinc from sphalerite ore is used to make pennies
Saphalerite can be mined at a profit
Saphalerite can also be polished and considered a gem
To be a gem, a mineral needs to be...
Beautiful, rare and valuable
Extracted using the process of smelting
Formed in arid environments
a pure substance
Smelting is a way to...
remove metals from ore
remove impurities in a gem
remove water from mineral deposits
remove a gem from a rock
Which of the following is NOT a mineral?
ice
halite
garnet
bone
A mineral has atoms or molecules that are arranged in an orderly, repeating pattern to form crystals? Which TWO models show a crystal structure?
Rihanna went on a hike and found a super cool mineral. She wants to identify it. In her fanny pack she has a black porcelain tile and a white porcelain tile. What test can Rihanna perform to try to identify the mineral?
Hardness
Streak
Density
Reactivity
Rihanna is wearing her fanny pack on a hike and decides to try the hardness test on the mineral she found. The mineral would not scratch with a copper coin but scratched easily with an iron nail. What is Rihanna's unknown mineral’s rating on Moh’s scale?
2
3
4
5
Look at these giant crystals! What caused the crystals to grow so large?
The crystals formed very slowly
The crystals formed very quickly
The crystals formed under water
The crystals formed on land
True or False: A mixture can be a mineral
True
False
A minerals tendency to break along flat even sides is...
cleavage
fracture
A minerals tendency to break along rough, uneven sides is...
cleavage
fracture
Ice made in your house has the same appearance, chemical formula, and crystal structure as ice collected from outside. Are ice cubes from your fridge minerals?
Yes
No
Sometime
The following models represent compounds. Which of these models best represents the mineral Halite (NaCl)?
Use the data from the table to choose the best claim regarding samples of quartz and halite.
Quartz is more dense than Halite.
Halite is more dense than Quartz.
Quartz has more volume than Halite
Halite will float in water
Which of these minerals are elements?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY
Diamond (C)
Quartz (SiO2)
Sulfer (S)
Hedenbergite (CaFeSi2O6)
Chromium (Cr)
Which of these minerals are compounds?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY
Diamond (C)
Quartz (SiO2)
Sulfer (S)
Hedenbergite (CaFeSi2O6)
Chromium (Cr)
Which of these are chemical properties?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY
reactivity
magnetism
oxidation
streak
luster
Which of these are physical properties?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY
reactivity
magnetism
oxidation
streak
luster
What are the three ways that minerals can form?
CHOOSE THREE.
From minerals being compacted together.
From minerals in solutions precipitating out, or the water evaporating away.
From minerals being separated through the process of smelting.
From magma or lava cooling and solidifying.
From minerals metamorphosizing due to intense heat and pressure deep within earth.
Captain America found a mineral with the following characteristics. Use the table to identify his mineral.
It is black in color, glassy luster, colorless streak, density of 2.7g/cm3.
Diamond
Magnetite
Quartz
Biotite Mica
Based only on the table provided. What are the two best tests to use to tell the difference between a sample of biotite mica and graphite? CHOOSE TWO.
Color
Luster
Streak
Hardness
What is the smallest unit of an element?
atom
molecule
compound
ion
What is the smallest unit of a compound?
atom
element
molecule
ion
