Rocks And Minerals Quiz 1
Rocks and minerals.
- 1.
Which of the following minerals is the main constituent of Earth's mantle?
- A.
Olivine
- B.
Biotite
- C.
Feldspar
- D.
Quartz
- E.
Magnetite
Correct Answer
A. OlivineExplanation
The mantle is primarily composed of peridotite, an ultramafic igneous rock rich in olivine. Peridotite gets its name from its main mineral constituent, peridot, which is gem-quality forsterite, and forsterite is the Mg end member of the olivine group.Rate this question:
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- 2.
What is considered "low" silica content in a magma melt?
- A.
About 50%
- B.
About 70%
- C.
About 20%
- D.
About 95%
Correct Answer
A. About 50%Explanation
You'll never find a melt that's more than about 78% silica. Melts that are less than 45% silica are considered ultramafic - that's very low silica content.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which of the following properties would you best use to distinguish halite from calcite?
- A.
Streak
- B.
Color and luster
- C.
Crystal system and cleavage
- D.
Taste
Correct Answer
C. Crystal system and cleavageExplanation
Well, you could lick your specimen, but nobody would recommend that.Rate this question:
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- 4.
A mineral will scratch apatite, and is scratched by topaz. Which of the following might it be?
- A.
Olivine
- B.
Fluorite
- C.
Corundum
- D.
Bornite
Correct Answer
A. OlivineExplanation
Olivine again!Rate this question:
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- 5.
Albite is an end member of which mineral group?
- A.
Orthoclase feldspar
- B.
Pyroxene
- C.
Olivine
- D.
Plagioclase feldspar
Correct Answer
D. Plagioclase feldsparExplanation
Not A.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Which of the following minerals has NO cleavage, and conchoidal fracture?
- A.
Muscovite
- B.
Quartz
- C.
Calcite
- D.
Halite
Correct Answer
B. QuartzExplanation
Think about quartz's crystal structure... no planes of weakness...Rate this question:
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- 7.
A specimen exhibits strong birefringence, excellent cleavage in three directions, and effervesces when tested with HCl. These are distinguishing characteristics of...
- A.
Calcite
- B.
Halite
- C.
Muscovite
- D.
Pyrite
Correct Answer
A. CalciteExplanation
You knew that!Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which of the following minerals is an ore of mercury associated with volcanic activity?
- A.
Hematite
- B.
Cinnabar
- C.
Galena
- D.
Epsomite
Correct Answer
B. CinnabarExplanation
Probably all you need to know about cinnabar.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Which of the native metals gold, copper and silver is the best conductor (1)? Which is most malleable (2)?
- A.
(1) silver and (2) copper
- B.
(1) copper and (2) copper
- C.
(1) copper and (2) gold
- D.
(1) gold and (2) gold
- E.
(1) silver and (2) gold
Correct Answer
E. (1) silver and (2) goldExplanation
Silver is the best conductor of electricity among the native metals gold, copper, and silver. This is because silver has the highest electrical conductivity of any metal. Gold is the most malleable among the three metals. It can be easily hammered into thin sheets without breaking.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Which of the following sets of minerals are polymorphs of each other?
- A.
Quartz and corundum
- B.
Orthoclase and plagioclase
- C.
Calcite and dolomite
- D.
Calcite and aragonite
- E.
Biotite and muscovite
Correct Answer
D. Calcite and aragoniteExplanation
Aragonite actually isn't stable under normal conditions, so you'll never find it in surface rocks older than about 50 million years! Still, it's a common collector's specimen.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jul 21, 2009Quiz Created by
Ieso2009