Deck 3: Minerals and Rocks

Question 1

Detrital sedimentary rocks differ from chemical sedimentary rocks in that

A)detrital sedimentary rocks accumulate in depositional basins, while chemical sedimentary rocks do not
B)detrital sedimentary rocks are composed of visible pieces of preexisting rocks
C)chemical sedimentary rocks are composed of chemical elements, while detrital rocks are not
D)chemical sedimentary rocks accumulate in the ocean, while detrital rocks do not

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Joints differ from faults primarily

A)with respect to the types of deformation that form them
B)whether displacement has occurred
C)with respect to strength of the rocks
D)the amount of weathering to which they are prone

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Intrusive igneous rocks differ from extrusive igneous rocks primarily in their

A)chemical and mineralogical makeup
B)crystal sizes
C)plate tectonic setting
D)degree of heat and pressure involved in magma generation

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Plastic deformation results in

A)a return to the original shape of the rock once the pressure is released
B)fractures, such as joints and faults
C)permanent change in shape of the rocks
D)increased rock temperature and, thus, increased metamorphism

Question 5

Silicate minerals are the most common minerals in the outer core.

Question 6

In an ionic bond

A)chains or sheets of atoms are held together by weak forces
B)atoms are joined by electrical charges
C)electrons are shared between all atoms in a solid mass
D)electrons are shared between a limited number of atoms

Question 7

Isotopes are

A)charged atoms that have gained or lost electrons
B)atoms that share electrons
C)atoms of the same element with different atomic masses
D)atoms with extra electrons in the nucleus

Question 8

Why are ferromagnesian minerals easily weathered?

A)they are rich in magnesium
B)they are prone to oxidation
C)they are formed during the solidification of magma
D)they are prone to dissolution

Question 9

The crystalline structure of minerals is a result of random arrangement of atoms in a crystal lattice.

Question 10

The term "clay" refers to both texture and mineralogy.

Question 11

In a metallic bond

A)chains or sheets of atoms are held together by weak forces
B)atoms are joined by electrical charges
C)electrons are shared between all atoms in a solid mass
D)electrons are shared between a limited number of atoms

Question 12

Unconformities represent

A)a gap in the geologic record
B)a time when the rock sequence was below sea level
C)a period of igneous intrusion
D)an example of the principle of superposition

Question 13

Native elements minerals consist of a variety of common elements bonded together by metallic bonds.

Question 14

Sulfide minerals are potential environmental hazards because

A)they are weak minerals
B)they are rich in calcium, which contributes to water degradation
C)they can combine with oxygen and water to form sulfuric acid
D)they are important sources of iron

Question 15

Some metamorphic rocks are potential environmental hazards because

A)foliation can represent a plane of weakness in the rock
B)the fluids that metamorphose the rocks can leave behind dangerous chemicals
C)they are composed of unstable elements
D)the crystals do not interlock as in igneous rocks

Question 16

Neutrons add charge, but not mass, to an atom.

Question 17

In what way is the rock cycle intertwined with plate tectonics?

A)Plate tectonic processes control the rock forming processes prevalent at plate boundaries.
B)Plate tectonic processes are directly responsible for weathering.
C)Plate tectonic processes are responsible for the internal heat that causes metamorphism and melting.
D)Plate tectonic processes are directly responsible for sediment deposition.

Question 18

Which of the following is not a mineral?

A)volcanic glass
B)ice
C)quartz
D)plagioclase feldspar

Question 19

Why are silicate minerals the most common minerals in the crust?

A)because oxygen and silicon are the most common elements in the crust
B)because carbonate and oxide minerals are more easily weathered
C)because their building block is in the shape of a tetrahedron
D)because they include elements such as magnesium, sodium, and potassium

Question 20

In a covalent bond

A)chains or sheets of atoms are held together by weak forces
B)atoms are joined by electrical charges
C)electrons are shared between all atoms in a solid mass
D)electrons are shared between a limited number of atoms

Question 21

________ is a low-grade metamorphic rock with many important uses.

Question 22

The law of ________ states that a rock is younger than any other rock it cuts.

Question 23

Nonfoliated metamorphic rocks are less likely to cause a landslide than are foliated metamorphic rocks.

Question 24

________ sedimentary rocks are formed from the precipitation of substances dissolved in water.

Question 25

Rock folds typically form under the influence of compressive stress.

Question 26

Nonfoliated metamorphic rocks form only in high-temperature, low-pressure metamorphism.

Question 27

________ deformation is recoverable.

Question 28

A batholith is a large mass of igneous rock consisting of multiple ________.

Question 29

Limestone is a detrital sedimentary rock.

Question 30

________ is a hard mineral that is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust.

Question 31

The law of ________ states that the oldest layers are on the bottom of a sequence of sediment layers that have not been overturned.

Question 32

A(n) ________ is an unconformity between parallel layers of sediment.

Question 33

Limestone is prone to chemical weathering because it consists of a mineral from the ________ group.

Question 34

________ bonds result from the sharing of electrons between many atoms.

Question 35

The Sierra Nevada batholith consists of a number of plutons with contrasting chemical composition.

Question 36

Porphyritic textures in igneous rocks result from two phases of crystallization.

Question 37

The law of cross-cutting relationships pertains to the age relationships in a sequence of sedimentary layers.

Question 38

________ contribute negative charges, but minimal mass, to an atom.

Question 39

Intrusive igneous rocks consist of slowly cooled magma.

Question 40

St. Francis Dam, located in California, collapsed as a result of intense earthquake shaking.

Question 41

The law of ________ states that a sedimentary rocks accumulate in an untilted geometry.

Question 42

The basal cleavage of ________ minerals makes them potentially weak.