Section #: 4.2
Identifying Minerals
Practice Test
1.
If a mineral breaks along distinct planes, it is said to have __________.
a.
cleavage
b.
a dull luster
c.
a high specific gravity
d.
fracture
Hint
2.
What is the numerical value for the hardest mineral on the Mohs hardness scale?
a.
20
b.
100
c.
10
d.
11
Hint
3.
What is caused by the presence of trace elements in a mineral?
a.
luster
b.
harness
c.
streak
d.
color
Hint
4.
A mineral's __________ is the color when it is powdered.
a.
luster
b.
density
c.
hardness
d.
streak
Hint
5.
A mineral is __________ if it can be mined for profit.
a.
an ore
b.
a crystal
c.
an igneous rock
d.
a rock
Hint
6.
__________ is the way a mineral reflects light.
a.
Luster
b.
Streak
c.
Color
d.
Cleavage
Hint
7.
According to the table, which mineral is capable of scratching garnet?
Mineral
Color
Hardness
Gold
Metallic gold
2.5- 3
Apatite
Blue, green
5
Pyrite
Metallic pale brass, gold
6-6.5
Garnet
Red, deep red, brown
7.5- 8
Corundumm
Red, deep red
9
a.
gold
b.
pyrite
c.
apatite
d.
corundum
Hint
8.
What describes the way a mineral feels?
a.
texture
b.
luster
c.
streak
d.
hardness
Hint
9.
__________ is the measure of how easily a mineral can be scratched.
a.
Streak
b.
Specific gravity
c.
Luster
d.
Hardness
Hint
10.
What makes a mineral a gem?
a.
its pearly luster
b.
its association with native elements
c.
its deep color
d.
its rarity and beauty
Hint
11.
What happens to calcium carbonate when it is exposed to hydrochloric acid?
a.
It fizzes.
b.
It turns color.
c.
It breaks.
d.
It looses luster.
Hint
12.
What is the hardness of quartz?
a.
4
b.
9
c.
7
d.
2
Hint
13.
Which of the minerals listed in the table has the greatest density?
Mineral
Specific Gravity
Chemical Formula
Breakage Pattern
Gold
19.3
Au
Hackly
Apatite
5
Ca
5
(PO
4
)
3
(F,OH,CL)
Uneven fracture
Pyrite
5.2
FeS
2
Uneven fracture
Garnet
3.5- 4.3
(Mg,Fe,Ca)
3
(Al
2
Si
3
O
12
)
Conchodial fracture
Beryl
2.75
Be
3
Al
2
Si
6
O
8
Uneven fracture
Corundumm
4
Al
2
O
3
Fracture
a.
beryl
b.
pyrite
c.
corundum
d.
garnet
Hint
