Minerals

Question 1

A naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solid that has a specific chemical composition.

Answer 1

Mineral

Question 2

A very common mineral in the earth’s crust, is made up of the elements potassium, aluminum, silicon, and oxygen.

Answer 2

Potassium feldspar

Question 3

Defined as naturally formed aggregates of minerals or mineral-like substances.

Answer 3

Rock

Question 4

Amallest, electrically neutral assemblies of energy and matter that we know exist in the universe.

Answer 4

Atoms

Question 5

Contains positively charged protons and neutrally charged neutrons. Surrounding the nucleus is a cloud of negatively charged electrons. Protons and neutrons are very dense particles with almost identical masses.

Answer 5

Nucleus

Question 6

How many electrons are there in the first Energy level or shell?

Answer 6

Two (2)

Question 7

How many electrons are there in the second Energy level or shell?

Answer 7

Eight (8)

Question 8

How many electrons are there in the third Energy level or shell?

Answer 8

Eight (8)

Question 9

Number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

Answer 9

Atomic number

Question 10

A group of same kind of atoms.

Answer 10

Element

Question 11

It is the most common type of bonding in minerals. It is also where the electrons are transferred

Answer 11

Ionic Bonding

Question 12

An atom that has a surplus or deficit of electrons relative to the number of protons in its nucleus and therefore a positive or negative electrical charge.

Answer 12

Ion

Question 13

It is the positively charged ion that has fewer electrons than protons.

Answer 13

Cation

Question 14

It is the negatively charged ion that has more electrons than protons.

Answer 14

Anion

Question 15

Some atoms share electrons rather than transferring them, creating a strong bond.

Answer 15

Covalent Bonding

Question 16

Hardest natural substance on earth.

Answer 16

Diamond

Question 17

Closely packed atoms share electrons in higher energy-level shells among several atoms. The atoms are closely packed and the electrons move freely throughout the crystal so as to hold the atoms together.

Answer 17

Metallic Bonding

Question 18

A weak secondary attraction between certain molecules formed by transferring electrons. Much weaker than ionic, covalent, or metallic bonding.

Answer 18

Van der Waals Bonding

Question 19

They have different crystal structures though having the same composition.

Answer 19

Polymorphs

Question 20

Atoms in most solids are organized in regular, and geometric patterns

Answer 20

Crystal Structure

Question 21

It is the largest mineral group.

Answer 21

Silicate minerals

Question 22

Oxygen combined with silicon

Answer 22

Silica

Question 23

The four-sided, pyramidal, geometric shape called a tetrahedron is used to represent the 4 oxygen atoms surrounding a silicon atom.

Answer 23

Silicon-oxygen tetrahedron

Question 24

Silicate minerals that are structured so that none of the oxygen atoms are shared by tetrahedra. Example of this is Olivine.

Answer 24

Isolated Silicate Structure / Single Tetrahedra

Question 25

When two of a tetrahedron’s oxygen atoms are shared with adjacent tetrahedra to form a chain.

Answer 25

Single - Chain Silicates

Question 26

Two adjacent single chains that are sharing oxygen atoms. An example of this is amphibole group.

Answer 26

Double - Chain Silicates

Question 27

Hornblende

Answer 27

Double - Chain Silicates

Question 28

Each tetrahedron shares three oxygen atoms to form a sheet.

Answer 28

Sheet Silicates

Question 29

The mica group and clay group.

Answer 29

Sheet silicates

Question 30

Perfect basal cleavage, which means that they are easily split into thin, often transparent sheets.

Answer 30

Mica Group

Question 31

An important sub-group of the sheet silicates.

Answer 31

Clay minerals

Question 32

Decomposition of feldspar (e.g. granite). It is the principal components of china clay.

Answer 32

Kaolinite

Question 33

Alteration of basic igneous rocks containing silicates rich in Calcium and Magnesium. Can swell significantly by the adsorption of water.

Answer 33

Montmorillonite / Smectite

Question 34

When all four oxygen ions are shared by adjacent tetrahedra.

Answer 34

Framework silicate

Question 35

Feldspar and Quartz

Answer 35

Framework Silicates

Question 36

Minerals that do not contain silica, are nevertheless important

Answer 36

Non-silicate minerals

Question 37

Some geologists consider calcite to be a "ubiquitous mineral" - one that is found everywhere.

Answer 37

Carbonates Group

Question 38

Apatite. Common mineral in many varieties of igneous and sedimentary rocks. The main source of the phosphorus required by plants.

Answer 38

Phosphates Group

Question 39

Contains sulfate anion.

Answer 39

Sulfates Group

Question 40

Source for Metals. These are the Sulfides and Oxides.

Answer 40

Ore Mineral Group