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How are minerals identified?

Total questions: 121

Worksheet time: 2hrs 24mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Using the Mohs Hardness Scale above answer the following questions as true or false.

1. _____ Apatite would scratch fluorite but not topaz.

a)

True

b)

False

2.

Using the Mohs Hardness Scale above answer the following questions as true or false.

2. _____ A steel nail would scratch quartz.

a)

True

b)

False

3.

Using the Mohs Hardness Scale above answer the following questions as true or false.

3. _____ Fluorite can scratch calcite, gypsum and talc.

a)

True

b)

False

4.

Using the Mohs Hardness Scale above answer the following questions as true or false.

4. _____ Talc can scratch your fingernail.

a)

True

b)

False

5.

Using the Mohs Hardness Scale above answer the following questions as true or false.

5. _____ Quartz can scratch a diamond, topaz, and apatite.

a)

True

b)

False

6.

Name at least five ways minerals can be identified - record the correct answers in your notes for # 6- 10

4 lines
7.

11. Why is color not a very good indicator in identifying minerals?

a)

Minerals only come in one color

b)

Every mineral has its own unique color.

c)

Many different minerals come in the same color.

8.

12.What is the difference between fracture and cleavage in a mineral?

a)

Cleavage = breaks along flat, smooth planes into a set shape,

Fracture = breaks in random, jagged edges.

b)

Cleavage = breaks in random, jagged edges.

Fracture = breaks along flat, smooth planes into a set shape,

9.

1. When determining the color of a mineral’s powder, what tool would you need?

a)

A. Glass Plate

b)

B. Unglazed porcelain tile (ceramic plate)

c)

C. Microscope

d)

D. Hydrochloric acid

10.

2. Which mineral property refers to how easily a mineral can be scratched?

a)

A. Streak

b)

B. Density

c)

C. Hardness

d)

D. Fracture

11.

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

a)

A. Color

b)

B. Breaking Pattern

c)

C. Specific Gravity

d)

D. Hardness

12.

4. Fracture or cleavage of a mineral is determined by:

a)

A. how long it took to form

b)

B. the internal arrangement of atoms

c)

C. temperature

d)

D. the color of the mineral

13.

5.Which of the following is not true of all minerals?

a)

A. Definite chemical composition

b)

B. Definite crystalline shape

c)

C. Made in laboratories

d)

D. Solid

14.

6. Describe how you would determine a mineral’s streak.

a)

Rub the mineral on a ceramic plate.

b)

Rub the mineral on a glass plate.

c)

Break the mineral.

d)

Place the mineral in a beaker of water.

15.

7. Rubbing a mineral on a glass plate is testing which property?

a)

Streak

b)

Hardness

c)

Density

d)

Breakage

16.

8. What are the two main types of luster?

a)

Metallic

b)

Glossy

c)

Nonmetallic

d)

Pearly

17.

9. Which mineral is often used to enhance the flavor of food?

a)

Calcite

b)

Halite

c)

Flourite

d)

Magnetite

18.
The softest mineral on the Mohs Hardness scale
a)
Gypsum
b)
Talc
c)
Diamond
d)
Feldspar
19.
The hardest mineral on the Mohs Hardness scale
a)
Talc
b)
Obsidian
c)
Diamond
d)
Quartz
20.
Minerals are the building blocks of _____________.
a)
elements
b)
atoms
c)
fossils
d)
rocks
21.
A ranking of a minerals from softest to hardest
a)
streak test
b)
luster test
c)
Mohs hardness scale
d)
fracture
22.
The color of a minerals powder
a)
luster
b)
streak
c)
hardness
d)
texture
23.
How a mineral splits apart when it does not break evenly:
a)
streak
b)
hardness
c)
cleavage
d)
fracture
24.
The property of splitting easily along flat surfaces
a)
fracture
b)
hardness
c)
cleavage
d)
streak
25.
How a mineral reflects light from its surface
a)
crystal
b)
luster
c)
streak
d)
refraction
26.
The property of luster means..
a)
the hardness of a mineral
b)
the color of the mineral
c)
the streak the mineral leaves
d)
how the mineral reflects light
27.
Hardness, color, and luster are examples of a mineral's ___________.
a)
price
b)
weight
c)
property
d)
name
28.
What was the purpose of the scratch test?
a)
to find if the rock contained calcite
b)
to find the hardness of the mineral 
c)
to find the color
29.
What mineral is the softest?
a)
quartz (7)
b)
mica (2)
c)
feldspar (6)
d)
talc (1)
30.

What two properties are most helpful for identifying minerals?

a)

luster and streak

b)

color and size

c)

shape and hardness

d)

color and hardness

31.
Using the Mohs Hardness Scale (click the text to see the Scale), name two minerals harder than Fluorite.
a)
Talc and Calcite
b)
Gypsum and Quartz
c)
Quartz and Feldspar
d)
Diamond and Talc
32.
The color of a mineral in powder form is called the mineral's 
a)
hardness
b)
specific gravity
c)
luster
d)
streak
33.
How light reflects off of a mineral is called the mineral's 
a)
luster
b)
streak
c)
cleavage
d)
fracture
34.
The following image shows what mineral property?
a)
Hardness
b)
Streak
c)
Cleavage
d)
Density
35.
Diamond has a hardness of ___ on Mohs Hardness Scale.
a)
1
b)
5
c)
8
d)
10
36.
Dull, silky, waxy, pearly, and earthy are terms that best describe which property of minerals?
a)
luster
b)
color
c)
streak
d)
cleavage
37.
How do you test the hardness of a mineral? 
a)
Throw it against a wall
b)
Step on it
c)
Scratch Test
d)
Kick it until it breaks
38.
What mineral is the softest mineral on Moh's Hardness Scale and the main ingredient in baby powder?
a)
feldspar
b)
talc
c)
gypsum
d)
kaolinite
39.
A mineral's resistance to being scratched is called?
a)
streak
b)
luster
c)
hardness
d)
heft
40.
The ratio of an objects mass to its volume is called
a)
Fluorescence
b)
Streak
c)
Ore
d)
Density
41.
Which of the following properties does the Mohs scale measure?
a)
Luster
b)
Hardness
c)
Density
d)
Streak
42.
A mineral breaks into pieces like are shown in the picture. How would you describe its breakage?
a)
Fracture
b)
Cleavage
c)
Glassy
d)
Waxy
43.
A mineral breaks into pieces like are shown in the picture. How would you describe its breakage?
a)
Fracture
b)
Cleavage
c)
Glassy
d)
Waxy
44.
Minerals are identified by observing their ___________.
a)
physical properties
b)
name
c)
location
45.
The ________ measures how hard a mineral is.
a)
Miller Scale
b)
Dishong Scale
c)
Curly Scale
d)
Mohs Scale
46.
_____ is if something breaks into smooth flat layers.
a)
fracture
b)
cleavage
c)
streak
47.

Minerals break in different ways. Some break into thin sheets while others break into squares. What property of minerals is this?

a)

cleavage

b)

hardness

c)

luster

d)

streak

48.

Which of these observations describes a minerals luster?

a)

brittle

b)

shiny

c)

brown

d)

hard

49.

Minerals break in different ways. Some break into thin sheets while others break into squares. What property of minerals is this?

a)

cleavage

b)

hardness

c)

luster

d)

streak

50.

Which of these observations describes a minerals luster?

a)

brittle

b)

shiny

c)

brown

d)

hard

51.

Which rock is formed by lava that has cooled quickly?

a)

sedimentary

b)

metamorphic

c)

igneous

d)

sandstone

52.

Which rock is formed by layers of material that settled on the bottom of an ocean?

a)

sedimentary

b)

igneous

c)

metamorphic

d)

obsidian

53.

Paolo wanted to identify a mineral. He rubbed a corner of the mineral across a white tile and recorded the color of the mark. What property was Paolo measuring?

a)

cleavage

b)

color

c)

streak

d)

luster

54.

Minerals and rocks are not exactly the same. How are minerals and rocks related to each other?

a)

Minerals are groups of related rocks.

b)

Minerals have crystals, but rocks do not.

c)

Rocks are made up of one or more minerals.

d)

Rocks contain different chemical compounds than minerals.

55.

Minerals are identified and sorted by different characteristics. Luster is one way to sort minerals into different types. What is a mineral’s luster?

a)

the way that light reflects from its surface

b)

the mineral’s elements and their arrangement

c)

the color that it makes when rubbed on a tile

d)

the way that it breaks when you strike it with a wedge

56.

Sheila is classifying the rocks in her collection. She knows that limestone often contains fossils. In which category of rock should she classify these rocks?

a)

igneous

b)

granite

c)

metamorphic

d)

sedimentary

57.

Both igneous rock and sedimentary rock can turn into metamorphic rock. What two conditions are necessary for this to happen?

a)

heat and erosion

b)

heat and pressure

c)

weathering and erosion

d)

weathering and pressure

58.

Minerals have various physical properties. The illustration below shows a tool that is used to test a physical property of minerals.


What physical property of a mineral is tested using this tool?

a)

cleavage

b)

color

c)

luster

d)

streak

59.

A mineralogists is....

a)

resistance of a mineral to being scratched.

b)

scientists who study the distribution of minerals

c)

mineral breaks with smooth

60.

The density is express in volume (g/cm^3)

a)

True

b)

False

61.

The definition of hardness is

a)

the color of the mineral

b)

the way that mineral reflects

c)

resistance of a mineral to being scratched.

62.

Luster is the way a mineral reflects or absorbs light at its surface

a)

True

b)

False

63.

What is streak?

a)

the resistance of a mineral

b)

the color of a mineral

c)

a mineral that forms uneven surfaces

64.

A fracture is....

a)

a mineral breaks with smooth, flat surfaces

b)

a mineral breaks and forms uneven surfaces

65.

Cleavage is if a mineral breaks with smooth, flat surface.

a)

True

b)

False

66.

The hardness of this mineral is

a)

9

b)

7

c)

10

67.

________ is the resistance of a mineral to being scratched.

a)

Hardness

b)

Streak

c)


Impurities
Luster

d)


Luster

68.

Nonmetallic minerals have luster types that might still be shiny, but are not __________ like metal.

a)

Magnetic

b)

Dull

c)

Reflective

d)


Color

69.

If someone holds two minerals, the one that feels heavier has ____ density.

a)

Softer

b)

more

c)

Color

d)

Dull

70.

Variations in color reflect the presence of different types of __________.

a)

Hardness

b)

Properties

c)

Impurities

d)


Magnetic

71.

Mineralogists have identified simple tests to help ________ unknown minerals.

a)

Reflective

b)

Properties

c)

Color

d)

Classify

72.

_____________ ranges from 1 to 10 and is used to compare the hardness of minerals.

a)

Hardness

b)

Color

c)

Density

d)

The Mohs scale

73.

_____ alone cannot be used for mineral identification.

a)

Softer

b)

Magnetic

c)

Reflective

d)

Color

74.

treak is only useful for identifying minerals that are ______ than porcelain.

a)

Luster

b)

Color

c)

Reflective

d)

Softer

75.

Some metallic minerals can vary in color but have a streak color that is always ________.

a)

cleavage

b)

The Same

c)

Reflective

d)

magnetic

76.

______ is the color of a mineral in powdered form.

a)

Streak

b)

Dull

c)

Breaks

d)


Hardness

77.

________ is the shiniest luster.

a)

Color

b)

Metallic

c)

Magnetic

d)

Texture

78.

The mass of the object divided by it volume is the _______ of the object.

a)

fluorescence

b)

hardness

c)

density

d)

impurities

79.

If a mineral breaks with smooth, flat surfaces, it has ________.

a)

fracture

b)

texture

c)

cleavage

d)

fluorescence

80.

Scientists who study the distribution of minerals, mineral properties, and their uses are _______________.

a)

Properties

b)

Magnetic

c)

Mineralogists

d)

Color

81.

Calcite ______ when it comes in contact with hydrochloric acid.

a)

dull

b)

fizzes

c)

luster

d)

fibers, flat

82.

Some minerals break into splinters or ______; others break with smooth and ____ surfaces.

a)

dull

b)

fibers, flat

c)

fracture

d)

hardness

83.

______ is the way a mineral reflects or absorbs light at its surface.

a)

Luster

b)

Porcelain

c)

Softer

d)

Fracture

84.

The arrangements of atoms and the strengths of bonds between atoms determine how a mineral _____

a)

dull

b)

magnetic

c)

luster

d)


breaks

85.

A mineral that lacks shiny luster has earthy or ____ luster.

a)

Fizzes

b)

Texture

c)

Streak

d)

Dull

86.

hese tests are based on physical and chemical __________ of the minerals.

a)

Hardness

b)

Impurities

c)

Mineralogists

d)

Properties

87.

Streak can be produced by rubbing a mineral across an unglazed _________ plate.

a)

Luster

b)

Porcelain

c)

Hardness

d)

Fluorescence

88.

How a mineral feels is its _______.

a)

dull

b)

texture

c)

luster

d)

fracture

89.

If a mineral breaks to form uneven surfaces, it has ________.

a)

fracture

b)

cleavage

c)

texture

d)

luster

90.

____________ is a mineral's ability to glow when it is exposed to ultraviolet light.

a)

magnetic

b)

hardness

c)

density

d)

fluorescence

91.

The color of a mineral in powdered form

a)

hardness

b)

cleavage

c)

streak

d)

luster

92.

the resistance of a mineral to being scratched

a)

hardness

b)

cleavage

c)

luster

d)

streak

93.

scientists who study the distribution of minerals, mineral properties, and their uses

a)

biologists

b)

physiologists

c)

mineralogists

d)

rockologists

94.

The way a mineral looks when it breaks apart in an irregular way

a)

cleavage

b)

hardness

c)

luster

d)

fracture

95.

a mineral's ability to resist being scratched

a)

streak

b)

density

c)

color

d)

hardness

96.

the hardest mineral with a hardness of 10.

a)

Talc

b)

Quartz

c)

Diamond

d)


Gold

97.

is how a mineral feels to the touch.

a)

color

b)

texture

c)

fracture

d)

density

98.

can be determined by comparing heaviness.

a)

Refractive index

b)

Relative density

c)

Density formula

d)


Metallic oxide content

99.

Why is color the least reliable property to use when identifying minerals?

a)

That its is harder than porcelain (7).

b)

How the mineral breaks: cleavage or fracture.

c)

A mineral like quartz comes in many colors. Different minerals like olivine and pyroxene are the same color (green).

d)

porcelain streak plate

100.

What is the difference between metallic and nonmetallic luster?

a)

Metallic luster reflects light while nonmetallic luster absorbs light.

b)

The way a mineral reflects or absorbs light at its surface.

c)

The color of a mineral in powdered form.

d)

A glass plate and the Mohs Hardness Scale.

101.

Many nonmetallic minerals produce a ______ streak

a)

White

b)

Black

c)

Red

d)


Green

102.

A measure of how easily a mineral can be scratched.

a)

Color

b)

Hardness

c)

Streak

d)


Luster

103.

Ranges from 1 to 10 and is used to compare the hardness of minerals.

a)

Native metal

b)

The Mohs scale

c)

The Munsell chart

d)


Acid test

104.

Streak is only useful for identifying minerals that are ______ than porcelain.

a)

Softer

b)

Streak

c)

Harder

d)

Lower

105.

minerals that shine like metal have a _____________ luster.

a)

Magnetic

b)


Cleavage

c)

Metallic

d)


White

106.

cut and polished diamond has ________________

a)

Dull Luster

b)

Pearly Luster

c)

Metallic Luster

d)


Brilliant Luster

107.

the mineral feldspar, with a mohs value of 6, is _____ to strach than apatite, which has a value of 5

a)

harder

b)


softer

c)

denser

d)

younger

108.

color is the most reliable property you can use to identify an unknown mineral

a)

True

b)

False

109.

minerals that reflect a great deal of light that shines on them have metallic luster

a)

True

b)

False

110.

quartz has the same mohs value as ____

a)

porcelain

b)

composite resin

c)

acrylic

d)


density

111.

if a mineral's _______ is describes as ______ it means the mineral has a glassy appearance

a)

hardness

b)

luster, brilliant

c)

density

d)

luster, vitreous

112.

way a mineral absorbs or reflects light at its surface

a)

luster

b)

streak

c)


cleavage

d)


fracture

113.

Definition

_____ alone cannot be used for mineral identification.

a)

Streak

b)


Luster

c)

Texture

d)

Color

114.

vitreous means

a)

A mineral with a glassy look is

b)

The color of a mineral is only useful for identifying minerals softer than

c)

Relative density

d)

A mineral with a hardness of 3.5 WILL scratch....

115.

the softest mineral with a hardness of 1

a)

Streak

b)


Diamond

c)

Talc

d)


Fracture

116.

a mineral with a hardness of 3.0.

a)

A mineral with a hardness of 3.5 WILL scratch....

b)


hardness

c)

A mineral with a glassy look

d)

The color of a mineral is only useful for identifying minerals softer than

117.

Some minerals are ________ do to the presence of iron in the chemical formula.

a)

color

b)

metallic

c)

magnetic

d)

reflective

118.

____ has a hardness of 1, and _______ has a hardness of 10

a)

Streak

b)

Density

c)

Talc, Diamond

d)

Luster

119.

how are streak and color related?

a)

hematine, streak

b)

streak is a color of a mineral in powered form. A mineral will always have same streak even if mineral is varieties of colors.

c)

porcelain

d)


streak

120.

a mineral that has a hardness value of 3.5 will not scratch a mineral that has hardness of value of 3.0

a)

True

b)

False

121.

streak is the most reliable when it is used to help identify unknown metallic minerals

a)

True

b)

False

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