A mineralogist studies minerals and their origins. A mineralogist studying the Earth system would__________ .
A) study how minerals form rocks
B) study how minerals influence organisms living on them, how they react with water to produce soil forming minerals, or study how wind transports minerals as dust and influences climate
C) do the same thing, studying minerals and their origins, as any other mineralogist
D) Minerals can never be used to study the Earth system.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A mineralogist studying the Earth system would not only study how minerals form rocks, but also how they interact with other components of the Earth system, such as organisms, water, and the atmosphere. They would also investigate the role of minerals in different Earth processes, such as soil formation and climate. Therefore, option B is the best choice. Option C is partially correct as all mineralogists study minerals and their origins, but a mineralogist studying the Earth system would go beyond that scope. Option A is too narrow in focus, and option D is incorrect as minerals are often used to study the Earth system.

A Mineralogist Studies Minerals and Their Origins