Minerals
Practice Test
1.
A crystal is found with monoclinic structure. What element shown in the figure is this crystal most like structurally?
a.
gypsum
b.
pyrite
c.
feldspar
d.
topaz
2.
If a mineral breaks along distinct planes, it is said to have __________.
a.
cleavage
b.
a dull luster
c.
fracture
d.
a high specific gravity
3.
What is the dependent variable in the graph in Figure 3?
Time (s)
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Mass of product (g)
1.5
3.2
4.3
6.0
7.7
9.2
10.4
12.1
a.
mass
b.
product versus time
c.
time
d.
weight
4.
What do the nuclei of some isotopes release during radioactive decay?
a.
their nuclei
b.
lead
c.
valence electrons
d.
radiation
5.
What process is labeled C in the figure?
a.
condensation
b.
sublimation
c.
melting
d.
evaporation
6.
How does the satellite Topex/Poseidon map ocean features?
a.
visible light
b.
X rays
c.
ultraviolet rays
d.
radar
7.
The attraction of two atoms for a shared pair of electrons that hold the atoms together is called __________.
a.
a chemical reaction
b.
an ionic bond
c.
a compound
d.
a covalent bond
8.
According to the symbols shown in the figure, in which state of matter do these elements occur?
a.
solid
b.
gas
c.
plasma
d.
liquid
9.
What part of Earth is thought to be composed of iron and nickel?
a.
the asthenosphere
b.
the lithosphere
c.
the core
d.
the hydrosphere
10.
What describes the way a mineral feels?
a.
texture
b.
hardness
c.
luster
d.
streak
11.
A __________ projection is made by projecting points and lines from a globe onto a piece of paper that touches the globe at one point.
a.
Mercator
b.
conic
c.
shadow
d.
gnomonic
12.
If you travel west across the International Date Line you would move your calendar __________.
a.
forward 12 h
b.
backwards one day
c.
backwards 2 days
d.
forward one day
13.
What is a solid that has particles arranged in regular geometric patterns?
a.
a covalent bond
b.
a gas
c.
a crystalline structure
d.
an iconic compound
14.
What type of projection is best for mapping small areas or weather maps?
a.
Mercator projection
b.
a topographic map
c.
conic projection
d.
gnomonic projection
15.
Why does a water molecule have a bent shape?
a.
it's a compound
b.
it's a polar molecule
c.
it has ionic bonds
d.
because it occurs on Earth as a solid, liquid, and a gas
16.
The north pole is __________ latitude.
a.
90°N
b.
0°
c.
180°W
d.
90°S
17.
How does a Landsat satellite differentiate between objects on Earth's surface?
a.
Features on Earth radiate warmth at different frequencies, which show up as different colors on Landsat images.
b.
Landsat uses a single detector to measure the intensities of energy.
c.
Landsat satellites take pictures using visible light.
d.
Landsat measures the longest frequencies of electromagnetic radiation from Earth.
18.
What is the best method to show a change in volume over time?
a.
model
b.
theory
c.
law
d.
graph
19.
Which crystal shown in the figure is the type of crystal found in pyrite?
a.
2
b.
1
c.
3
d.
none are found in pyrite
20.
Which of the following is not a specialized area of Earth science.
a.
astronomy
b.
biology
c.
geology
d.
meteorology
