Rocks & Minerals

Although cement, brick, steel, and glass all come from substances found in Earth’s crust, they are not classified as minerals because  

• They are organic
• They are not naturally occurring 
• They are too hard
• They have many uses

A mineral's resistance to being scratched is called?

• streak
• luster
• hardness
• heft

The ratio of an objects mass to its volume is called

• Fluorescence
• Streak
• Ore
• Density

Dull, silky, waxy, pearly, and earthy are terms that best describe which property of minerals?

• luster
• color
• streak
• cleavage

What does inorganic mean?

• Something that is living
• Something that is dead, but was once living
• Something that was never living
• Something that was once dead and is now alive

A mineral breaks into pieces like the one shown in the picture. How would you describe this mineral's breakage?

• Fracture
• Cleavage
• Glassy
• Waxy

Which minerals would all scratch apatite?

• diamond, topaz, quartz
• quartz, calcite, gypsum
• fluorite, talc, calcite
• diamond, fluorite, corundum

What is the relationship between a rock and a mineral?

• Rocks are made up of minerals.
• Minerals are made up of rocks.
• Rocks are on the Earth's surface. Minerals are found underground.
• Rocks and minerals are different names for the same thing.

A scientist made an object in a lab that has a crystal structure and was solid. Why is the object not considered a mineral?

• It is a solid
• It is man-made
• It is inorganic
• It has a crystalline structure

Why is coal not considered a mineral?

• It is not a solid
• It is man-made
• It is not inorganic
• It is made of carbon