WorksheetsMineralogy
Total questions: 21
Worksheet time: 11mins
Define a mineral
A solid chemical compound with a fairly well-defined chemical composition and a specific crystal structure, that occurs naturally in pure form
several thousand known mineral species, about 100 of which constitute the major mineral components of rocks; these are the so-called rock-forming minerals.
Write the four defining characteristics that determine if a substance is a mineral.
Naturally occurring
Inorganic
Crystalline solids
Have a consistent chemical composition
Hot magma
What are two ways a mineral can be formed?
Magma as it cools
Water evaporation
Hot magma
Rocks
How does the rate of cooling affect the crystal size?
The longer the cooling rate, the larger the crystals
The longer the cooling rate, the shorter the crystals
The shorter the cooling rate, the larger the crystals
The shorter the cooling rate, the shorter the crystals
What are the characteristics of Silicates?
Contains a combination of silicon and oxygen
Most common type
Makes up 96% of the earth's crust
Contains Carbonate (CO3)
Component of concrete and fireworks
Contains chlorine or fluorine combines with potassium or calcium
Used in salt, detergents, and fertilizer
Not combined with other elements
Used in precious gems and electronics
What are the characteristics of Carbonates?
Contains a combination of silicon and oxygen
Most common type
Makes up 96% of the earth's crust
Contains Carbonate (CO3)
Component of concrete and fireworks
Contains chlorine or fluorine combines with potassium or calcium
Used in salt, detergents, and fertilizer
Not combined with other elements
Used in precious gems and electronics
What are the characteristics of Halides?
Contains a combination of silicon and oxygen
Most common type
Makes up 96% of the earth's crust
Contains Carbonate (CO3)
Component of concrete and fireworks
Contains chlorine or fluorine combines with potassium or calcium
Used in salt, detergents, and fertilizer
Not combined with other elements
Used in precious gems and electronics
What are the characteristics of Native Elements?
Contains a combination of silicon and oxygen
Most common type
Makes up 96% of the earth's crust
Contains Carbonate (CO3)
Component of concrete and fireworks
Contains chlorine or fluorine combines with potassium or calcium
Used in salt, detergents, and fertilizer
Not combined with other elements
Used in precious gems and electronics
What are the characteristics of Oxides?
Contains oxygen and elements other than silicon
Used in abrasives
Contains a sulfate group (SO4)
Used for drywall, makeup, paint, and toothpaste
Consists of one or more elements combined with sulfur
Used in batteries and medicine
What are the characteristics of Sulfates?
Contains oxygen and elements other than silicon
Used in abrasives
Contains a sulfate group (SO4)
Used for drywall, makeup, paint, and toothpaste
Consists of one or more elements combined with sulfur
Used in batteries and medicine
What are the characteristics of Sulfides?
Contains oxygen and elements other than silicon
Used in abrasives
Contains a sulfate group (SO4)
Used for drywall, makeup, paint, and toothpaste
Consists of one or more elements combined with sulfur
Used in batteries and medicine
What are some health concerns associated with silicates? (Two Answers)
Causes multiple diseases, including silicosis, an incurable lung disease that leads to disability and death
Causes lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease.
It's good stuff. I dare you to try it.
What are the physical properties of Luster?
The way a mineral reflects light
Tendency of a mineral to split along specific planes of weakness to form smooth, flat surfaces/Manner in which a mineral breaks along either curved or irregular surfaces
Ability to resist scratching
Often and unreliable identification clue
Color of a mineral in powder form (streak plate is used)
What are the physical properties of Clevage/Fracture?
The way a mineral reflects light
Tendency of a mineral to split along specific planes of weakness to form smooth, flat surfaces/Manner in which a mineral breaks along either curved or irregular surfaces
Ability to resist scratching
Often and unreliable identification clue
Color of a mineral in powder form (streak plate is used)
What are the physical properties of Hardness?
The way a mineral reflects light
Tendency of a mineral to split along specific planes of weakness to form smooth, flat surfaces/Manner in which a mineral breaks along either curved or irregular surfaces
Ability to resist scratching
Often and unreliable identification clue
Color of a mineral in powder form (streak plate is used)
What are the physical properties of Color?
The way a mineral reflects light
Tendency of a mineral to split along specific planes of weakness to form smooth, flat surfaces/Manner in which a mineral breaks along either curved or irregular surfaces
Ability to resist scratching
Often and unreliable identification clue
Color of a mineral in powder form (streak plate is used)
What are the physical properties of Streak?
The way a mineral reflects light
Tendency of a mineral to split along specific planes of weakness to form smooth, flat surfaces/Manner in which a mineral breaks along either curved or irregular surfaces
Ability to resist scratching
Often and unreliable identification clue
Color of a mineral in powder form (streak plate is used)
What are the physical properties of Crystal Shape?
Crystals form 6 basic shapes
Ratio of mass to volume of a substance
What are the physical properties of Density?
Crystals form 6 basic shapes
Ratio of mass to volume of a substance
What is an example of Double Refraction
Light entering minerals with low crystal symmetry is broken into two rays. The two rays are polarized so that the light in each vibrates in a direction at right angles to the other
Strong attraction to magnetic fields. This property is exhibited in few minerals, notably Magnetite and Pyrrhotite.
What is an example of Magnetism?
Light entering minerals with low crystal symmetry is broken into two rays. The two rays are polarized so that the light in each vibrates in a direction at right angles to the other
Strong attraction to magnetic fields. This property is exhibited in few minerals, notably Magnetite and Pyrrhotite.
