Question 1

What is the name given to an atom that gains or loses electrons in a chemical reaction?
A) nucleon
B) ion
C) molecule
D) proton

Accepted Answer

An atom that gains or loses electrons in a chemical reaction becomes an ion. If it gains electrons, it becomes a negatively charged ion (anion), and if it loses electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion (cation).

Question 2

Which common group of rock forming minerals has simultaneous double substitution of Na⁺ for Ca⁺²and Si⁺⁴ for Al⁺³ in its structure and chemical formula? A) pyroxenes B) micas C) plagioclase feldspars D) carbonates

Accepted Answer

Plagioclase feldspars exhibit the described simultaneous double substitution in their structure, where sodium (Na) and calcium (Ca) can substitute for each other, and silicon (Si) can be substituted by aluminum (Al). This substitution mechanism is a defining characteristic of the plagioclase feldspar group, differentiating it from other mineral groups.

Question 3

In ionic compounds,__________ have lost one or more electrons to acquire positive charge and a smaller radius than their neutral atom, while_________ have gained one or more electrons to acquire a negative charge and a larger radius than their neutral atom.
A) anions, cations
B) cations, anions
C) stable isotopes, unstable isotopes
D) daughter isotopes, parent isotopes

Accepted Answer

Cations are positively charged ions that have lost one or more electrons, resulting in a smaller radius compared to their neutral atoms. Anions are negatively charged ions that have gained one or more electrons, leading to a larger radius than their neutral atoms.

Question 4

Which one of the following mineral groups exhibits a sheet- like silicate structure?
A) clays
B) feldspars
C) pyroxenes
D) carbonates

Accepted Answer

Clays are characterized by their sheet-like silicate structure, where the silicate tetrahedra are arranged in sheets. This is a distinctive feature of clay minerals, differentiating them from other mineral groups listed.

Question 5

Which of the following denotes the massive, positively charged, nuclear particles?
A) electrons
B) protons
C) isotrons
D) neutrons

Accepted Answer

Protons are the subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom that carry a positive charge.

Question 6

Which of the following best characterizes ferromagnesian silicates?
A) They are high temperature black to dark- green minerals containing iron and magnesium.
B) They are mostly dark, heavy, and rich in the elements manganese and ferron.
C) They are dark and have a Mohs hardness greater than 7.
D) They contain iron and magnetite, are black in colour, and they have metallic lustres.

Accepted Answer

Ferromagnesian silicates are characterized by their high temperature, black to dark-green color, and their composition, which includes iron and magnesium. This distinguishes them from other minerals by their specific chemical makeup and physical properties.

Question 7

What, basic, atomic particles occupy space in an atom outside of the nucleus?
A) neutrons
B) morons
C) protons
D) electrons

Accepted Answer

Electrons are the subatomic particles that occupy the space outside the nucleus in an atom.

Question 8

Which of the following is not a fundamental particle found in atoms?
A) neutron
B) protons
C) selectron
D) electron

Accepted Answer

Selectrons are not found in atoms; they are hypothetical particles proposed in theories of supersymmetry, not part of the standard atomic model which includes neutrons, protons, and electrons.

Question 9

A mineral's hardness is determined by the number and the strength of chemical bonds, but how is it actually determined?
A) by weighing it on a Mohs scale.
B) by whether or not it cleaves.
C) by looking at its streak.
D) by its resistance to scratching or abrasion by other materials of known hardness.

Accepted Answer

The hardness of a mineral is determined by its resistance to scratching or abrasion by other materials of known hardness, which is the principle behind the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.

Question 10

Garnet, a common hard metamorphic mineral used for abrasives, has an internal crystal structure most similar to which other silicate mineral?
A) biotite
B) plagioclase feldspar
C) olivine
D) augite

Accepted Answer

Garnet and olivine share a similar structure in that both are nesosilicates, meaning they have isolated silica tetrahedra (SiO4) structures. This contrasts with the structures of the other minerals listed, which are part of different silicate groups.

Question 11

The quality of light reflected from a mineral surface is called _______.
A) polish
B) reflectance
C) translucency
D) lustre

Accepted Answer

Lustre refers to the way light interacts with the surface of a mineral, specifically the quality and intensity of the light reflected from the mineral's surface.

Question 12

The term precious gemstone is reserved for stones of the following types: _________, that are prized for their: rarity, beauty, durability and size. Everything else is considered semi- precious.
A) alexandrite, cats- eye, jade, topaz, and zircon
B) diamonds, garnets, moonstones, onyx, and peridots
C) diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and fire opals
D) agates, alaska black diamonds, carborundum, chrysoberyls, and spinels

Accepted Answer

The term precious gemstone traditionally refers to diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and sometimes includes opals due to their rarity, beauty, durability, and size. These characteristics set them apart as more valuable compared to semi-precious stones.

Question 13

What mineral is the hardest known substance in nature?
A) muscovite
B) native gold
C) diamond
D) silicate

Accepted Answer

Diamond is the hardest known natural substance on Earth, due to the strong covalent bonding between its carbon atoms.

Question 14

All silicate minerals contain which two elements?
A) iron, silicon
B) oxygen, carbon
C) silicon, oxygen
D) silicon, sodium

Accepted Answer

Silicate minerals are defined by the presence of silicon and oxygen, which form a tetrahedral structure that is the building block of these minerals.

Question 15

Which one of the following minerals has the greatest hardness on the Mohs hardness scale?
A) topaz
B) gypsum
C) calcite
D) feldspar

Accepted Answer

Topaz, with a Mohs hardness of 8, is harder than gypsum (hardness 2), calcite (hardness 3), and feldspar (hardness 6-6.5).

Question 16

Which mineral is easily soluble in water at room temperature conditions?
A) talc
B) halite
C) diamond
D) olivine

Accepted Answer

Halite, also known as rock salt, is easily soluble in water at room temperature conditions, unlike talic, diamond, or olivine which are not soluble in water.

Question 17

Jadarite is similar to the fictional mineral kryptonite but lacks_______ in its chemical composition.
A) fluorine
B) boron
C) sodium
D) lithium

Accepted Answer

Jadarite's chemical composition includes sodium, lithium, and boron, but it does not contain fluorine, which is present in the fictional kryptonite.

Question 18

Which of the following is a single- chain, ferromagnesian silicate mineral?
A) olivine
B) clay
C) pyroxene
D) mica

Accepted Answer

Pyroxene is a single-chain silicate mineral that contains iron and magnesium, making it a ferromagnesian mineral.

Question 19

The strong tendency of certain minerals to break along smooth, parallel planes is known as_________
A) crystal form
B) flat busted
C) cleavage
D) streak

Accepted Answer

Cleavage refers to the tendency of minerals to break along flat, smooth surfaces where the mineral has weak bonds. This results in pieces with smooth, flat surfaces that reflect light.

Question 20

In feldspars, what element can be thought of as substituting for silicon in the tetrahedral ionic sites?
A) potassium
B) aluminum
C) sodium
D) carbon

Accepted Answer

Aluminum can substitute for silicon in the tetrahedral sites of feldspars, altering the mineral's composition and properties.

Quiz 12: Plate Tectonics: the Framework for Modern Geology

What is the name given to an atom that gains or loses electrons in a chemical reaction?

Which common group of rock forming minerals has simultaneous double substitution of Na⁺ for Ca⁺²and Si⁺⁴ for Al⁺³ in its structure and chemical formula?

In ionic compounds,__ have lost one or more electrons to acquire positive charge and a smaller radius than their neutral atom, while_ have gained one or more electrons to acquire a negative charge and a larger radius than their neutral atom.

Which one of the following mineral groups exhibits a sheet- like silicate structure?

Which of the following denotes the massive, positively charged, nuclear particles?

Which of the following best characterizes ferromagnesian silicates?

What, basic, atomic particles occupy space in an atom outside of the nucleus?

Which of the following is not a fundamental particle found in atoms?

A mineral's hardness is determined by the number and the strength of chemical bonds, but how is it actually determined?

Garnet, a common hard metamorphic mineral used for abrasives, has an internal crystal structure most similar to which other silicate mineral?

The quality of light reflected from a mineral surface is called _______.

The term precious gemstone is reserved for stones of the following types: _________, that are prized for their: rarity, beauty, durability and size. Everything else is considered semi- precious.

What mineral is the hardest known substance in nature?

All silicate minerals contain which two elements?

Which one of the following minerals has the greatest hardness on the Mohs hardness scale?

Which mineral is easily soluble in water at room temperature conditions?

Jadarite is similar to the fictional mineral kryptonite but lacks_______ in its chemical composition.

Which of the following is a single- chain, ferromagnesian silicate mineral?

The strong tendency of certain minerals to break along smooth, parallel planes is known as_________

In feldspars, what element can be thought of as substituting for silicon in the tetrahedral ionic sites?