Test Your Knowledge About Minerals!
This quiz will help you study for your minerals test
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Atoms arranged in a specific pattern will form a:
- A.
Mineral
- B.
Crystal
- C.
Fracture
- D.
Streak Plate
Correct Answer
B. CrystalExplanation
Atoms arranged in a specific pattern will form a crystal. A crystal is a solid material whose atoms or molecules are arranged in a highly ordered, repeating pattern extending in all three spatial dimensions. This regular arrangement of atoms gives crystals their characteristic shape and properties, such as their symmetry and cleavage. Crystals can be found naturally in minerals or can be artificially synthesized.Rate this question:
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- 2.
This mineral shows the property of:
- A.
Cleavage
- B.
Fracture
- C.
Streak
- D.
Fluoresence
Correct Answer
A. CleavageExplanation
This mineral shows the property of cleavage, which means that it can break along specific planes or directions. Cleavage is a characteristic of minerals that have a crystalline structure and is determined by the arrangement of atoms within the mineral. When a mineral with cleavage is broken, it will break along smooth, flat surfaces. This property is useful in identifying minerals and can help determine their crystal structure and composition.Rate this question:
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- 3.
The property in the picture that is being showcased is
- A.
Fracture
- B.
Cleavage
- C.
Streak
- D.
Hardness
Correct Answer
C. StreakExplanation
The property being showcased in the picture is streak. Streak refers to the color of a mineral's powder when it is rubbed against a rough surface. It is different from the mineral's external color. By observing the streak, one can determine the mineral's true color.Rate this question:
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- 4.
The property in the picture that is demonstrated is
- A.
Cleavage
- B.
Fracture
- C.
Streak
- D.
Luster
Correct Answer
B. FractureExplanation
The property demonstrated in the picture is fracture. Fracture refers to the way a mineral breaks when it is not along a cleavage plane. In the picture, the mineral appears to have a rough and irregular break, indicating that it does not have a distinct cleavage. This suggests that the mineral has a fracture property.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Minerals may form on Earth’s surface when
- A.
Magma heats a solution.
- B.
Crystallization is delayed.
- C.
Solutions evaporate.
- D.
Pure metals are present.
Correct Answer
C. Solutions evaporate.Explanation
Minerals may form on Earth's surface when solutions evaporate. When solutions containing dissolved minerals are exposed to heat or dry conditions, the water in the solution evaporates, leaving behind the solid minerals. As the water evaporates, the concentration of minerals in the solution increases, causing them to precipitate and form solid crystals. This process is commonly observed in areas with high evaporation rates, such as salt flats or desert regions, where minerals like salt or gypsum can be found. Crystallization being delayed, magma heating a solution, or the presence of pure metals do not directly contribute to the formation of minerals through evaporation.Rate this question:
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- 6.
A mineral with a hardness of 7 is rubbed against a piece of Apatite. What will the result be?
- A.
The Apatite will scratch the mineral
- B.
The mineral will scratch the Apatite
- C.
Both minerals will be scratched
- D.
A diamond will form
Correct Answer
B. The mineral will scratch the ApatiteExplanation
A mineral with a hardness of 7 is considered to be harder than Apatite, which has a hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale. According to the Mohs scale, a mineral can scratch any mineral with a lower hardness than itself. Therefore, the mineral with a hardness of 7 will be able to scratch the Apatite, resulting in the given answer.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Silky, waxy, and vitreous describe which physical properties of a mineral?
- A.
Streak
- B.
Hardness
- C.
Color
- D.
Luster
Correct Answer
D. LusterExplanation
Silky, waxy, and vitreous are terms used to describe the luster of a mineral. Luster refers to the way light reflects off the surface of a mineral. Silky luster describes a mineral with a smooth and fibrous appearance, waxy luster refers to a mineral that appears smooth and has a wax-like sheen, while vitreous luster describes a mineral with a glassy and shiny appearance. Therefore, these terms are used to describe the different types of luster that minerals can exhibit.Rate this question:
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- 8.
What is the least reliable way to identify a mineral?
- A.
Streak
- B.
Hardness
- C.
Luster
- D.
Color
Correct Answer
D. ColorExplanation
Color is the least reliable way to identify a mineral because many minerals can occur in a variety of colors. The same mineral can have different colors due to impurities or variations in its chemical composition. Additionally, some minerals can have the same color, making it difficult to differentiate between them based on color alone. Therefore, relying solely on color to identify a mineral may lead to inaccurate conclusions. Other properties such as streak, hardness, and luster are more reliable indicators of a mineral's identity.Rate this question:
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- 9.
You are walking along a trail. Your foot catches the edge of something sticking out of the ground and you fall. After brushing yourself off, you go and check out what tripped you. The culprit was what looks like a piece of glass. After further examination, it wasn’t but it was a mineral that stuck out of the ground. It has some flat sides but is mostly uneven and chunky, indicating fracture. You pull out your trusty streak plate and rub the mineral against it. It leaves a white streak. You then sneak up to a nearby house, and rub the mineral against a window. The mineral scratches the window (hardness 5.5), which the occupants probably won’t be happy with. After cleaning it off, the luster is glassy. What type of mineral nearly ruined your day?
- A.
Biotite Mica
- B.
Galena
- C.
Quartz
- D.
Graphite
Correct Answer
C. QuartzExplanation
The mineral that nearly ruined your day is Quartz. The description of the mineral, including its uneven and chunky shape indicating fracture, its ability to leave a white streak on the streak plate, and its ability to scratch the window, all point towards Quartz. Additionally, the glassy luster mentioned after cleaning off the mineral is another characteristic of Quartz.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Silica is a mineral that is commonly used to make:
- A.
Glass
- B.
Rubber
- C.
Food Additives
- D.
Paint
Correct Answer
A. GlassExplanation
Silica is commonly used to make glass because it has a high melting point and can be easily molded into different shapes. It also has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, making it resistant to thermal shock. Additionally, silica provides transparency to the glass, allowing light to pass through. These properties make silica an ideal mineral for manufacturing glass products.Rate this question:
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- 11.
This mineral can be scratched with your fingernail. What is it?
- A.
Quartz
- B.
Potassium Feldspar
- C.
Gypsum
- D.
Graphite
Correct Answer
C. GypsumExplanation
Gypsum is a soft mineral that can be easily scratched with a fingernail. It has a hardness of 2 on the Mohs scale, which means it is relatively soft compared to other minerals. This characteristic makes it easy to identify gypsum by conducting a simple scratch test with a fingernail.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Nov 16, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Oct 29, 2012Quiz Created by
Mrscully