Question 1

In which type of chemical bonding are electrons shared between adjacent atoms?
A) ionic
B) subatomic
C) isotopic
D) covalent

Accepted Answer

In covalent bonding, electrons are shared between adjacent atoms to achieve a full outer shell of electrons, creating a stable molecule.

Question 2

Hornblende and the other amphiboles have what type of silicate structure?
A) double chains
B) metallic
C) 3- D framework
D) sheet

Accepted Answer

Hornblende and other amphiboles have a double chain silicate structure, which distinguishes them from other silicate minerals. This structure involves two chains of silica tetrahedra bonded together, giving these minerals their unique properties and appearance.

Question 3

Ruby and sapphire are red and blue forms of the mineral __________.
A) corundum
B) emerald
C) turquoise
D) diamond

Accepted Answer

Ruby and sapphire are both gemstone varieties of the mineral corundum. Ruby is the red variety, while sapphire comes in various colors, including blue.

Question 4

Emeralds and aquamarines are gem quality single crystals of the more ordinary mineral________ .
A) epidote
B) olivine
C) augite
D) beryl

Accepted Answer

Emeralds and aquamarines are both gem-quality varieties of the mineral beryl.

Question 5

Which one of the following describes a mineral's response to mechanical impact?
A) streak
B) cleavage
C) crystal form
D) lustre

Accepted Answer

Cleavage describes how a mineral breaks along specific planes of weakness, which is a direct response to mechanical impact.

Question 6

Which mineral is used to make drilling muds denser to prevent blowouts?
A) halite
B) barite
C) galena
D) pyrite

Accepted Answer

Barite is used to make drilling muds denser to prevent blowouts because of its high specific gravity, which helps to control the pressure in the well.

Question 7

Ferromagnesian minerals generally exhibit which of the following properties?
A) dark colour, specific gravity higher than quartz
B) a light colour, metallic lustre
C) nonmetallic lustre, light colour
D) one perfect cleavage, colourless

Accepted Answer

Ferromagnesian minerals, also known as mafic minerals, are typically dark in color and have a higher specific gravity than non-ferromagnesian minerals like quartz. This is due to their iron and magnesium content.

Question 8

Cleavage is determined by__________ and_________ well formed planes of weakness in a stressed mineral structure
A) the twinning, separation of
B) the hardness, thickness of
C) the number, angles between
D) the iridescence, shape of

Accepted Answer

Cleavage in minerals is determined by the number of and angles between well-formed planes of weakness in a stressed mineral structure. These planes are related to the atomic structure of the mineral and dictate how it breaks when stressed.

Question 9

Which of the following denotes the tiny, but very massive, central part of an atom?
A) nucleus
B) inner shell
C) core mass
D) valence shell

Accepted Answer

The nucleus is the tiny, very massive central part of an atom, containing protons and neutrons.

Question 10

The electrons in the outermost shell of an element are referred to as__________ .
A) non- bonding electrons
B) aberrant electrons
C) positrons
D) valence electrons

Accepted Answer

Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom and are significant in determining how an element reacts chemically with others.

Question 11

Which element is the first and lightest element in the periodic chart?
A) hydrogen
B) oxygen
C) helium
D) sodium

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen is the first and lightest element on the periodic table, with an atomic number of 1.

Question 12

What are the lightest or least massive of the basic atomic particles?
A) electrons
B) neutrons
C) uranium nuclei
D) protons

Accepted Answer

Electrons are the lightest or least massive of the basic atomic particles mentioned, with a mass significantly smaller than that of protons and neutrons, and far smaller than the mass of uranium nuclei.

Question 13

Which of the following silicate minerals have 3- dimensional framework structures?
A) quartz and halite
B) micas and gypsum
C) hornblende and olivine
D) feldspars and quartz

Accepted Answer

Feldspars and quartz are both silicate minerals that have a 3-dimensional framework structure, where silicon and oxygen form a continuous framework of SiO4 tetrahedra.

Question 14

What element is the most abundant in the Earth's crust by weight?
A) sodium
B) chlorine
C) oxygen
D) carbon

Accepted Answer

Oxygen is the most abundant element in the Earth's crust by weight, making up about 46% of the Earth's crust.

Question 15

What is the name of dark- coloured mica?
A) biotite
B) olivine
C) calcite
D) quartz

Accepted Answer

Biotite is the correct answer because it is a common group of phyllosilicate minerals within the mica group, known for its dark color, typically black or dark brown.

Question 16

Which of the following rock types are not comprised mostly of minerals.
A) sandstone and conglomerate
B) limestone and rock salt
C) coal, obsidian, and pumice
D) granite and basalt

Accepted Answer

Coal, obsidian, and pumice are not primarily composed of minerals. Coal is organic, derived from plant material. Obsidian is volcanic glass, and pumice is a type of volcanic glass with a frothy texture, both lacking a crystalline mineral structure.

Question 17

Which element forms the strongest bonds with oxygen, based on its size and charge?
A) aluminum
B) calcium
C) potassium
D) silicon

Accepted Answer

Silicon forms the strongest bonds with oxygen due to its size and charge. As a member of the same group as carbon, silicon has a relatively small atomic radius, making it a good candidate for strongly polar covalent bonds with oxygen atoms. Additionally, the silicon ion has a positive charge that helps to strengthen these bonds further. The other options (Aluminum, Calcium, and Potassium) are all larger and have different charge distributions, which would result in weaker bonds with oxygen.

Question 18

_______is the external expression of orderly internal arrangement of atoms in a mineral crystal.
A) Colour
B) Streak
C) Lustre
D) Habit

Accepted Answer

Habit refers to the external expression of the orderly internal arrangement of atoms in a mineral crystal, manifesting in the common or characteristic shape of its crystals or aggregates.

Question 19

Which of the following describes the light reflecting characteristics of a mineral?
A) streak
B) fluorescence
C) lustre
D) virtual absorption

Accepted Answer

Lustre describes how light reflects off the surface of a mineral, indicating its shininess or dullness.

Question 20

Small, parallel grooves (twinning striations) are visible on cleavage surfaces and characteristic of which mineral?
A) plagioclase feldspar
B) quartz
C) olivine
D) hornblende

Accepted Answer

Twinning striations are characteristic of plagioclase feldspar. These small, parallel grooves visible on cleavage surfaces help distinguish it from other minerals.

Quiz 12: Plate Tectonics: the Framework for Modern Geology

In which type of chemical bonding are electrons shared between adjacent atoms?

Hornblende and the other amphiboles have what type of silicate structure?

Ruby and sapphire are red and blue forms of the mineral __________.

Emeralds and aquamarines are gem quality single crystals of the more ordinary mineral________ .

Which one of the following describes a mineral's response to mechanical impact?

Which mineral is used to make drilling muds denser to prevent blowouts?

Ferromagnesian minerals generally exhibit which of the following properties?

Cleavage is determined by__ and_ well formed planes of weakness in a stressed mineral structure

Which of the following denotes the tiny, but very massive, central part of an atom?

The electrons in the outermost shell of an element are referred to as__________ .

Which element is the first and lightest element in the periodic chart?

What are the lightest or least massive of the basic atomic particles?

Which of the following silicate minerals have 3- dimensional framework structures?

What element is the most abundant in the Earth's crust by weight?

What is the name of dark- coloured mica?

Which of the following rock types are not comprised mostly of minerals.

Which element forms the strongest bonds with oxygen, based on its size and charge?

_______is the external expression of orderly internal arrangement of atoms in a mineral crystal.

Which of the following describes the light reflecting characteristics of a mineral?

Small, parallel grooves (twinning striations) are visible on cleavage surfaces and characteristic of which mineral?