Mineral Identification Properties Quiz

What are rock-forming minerals?

• Minerals that are used to form rocks

• Minerals that are not found on Earth

• Minerals that are found in rocks

• Minerals that are rare and valuable

How are minerals identified?

• By their color

• By their luster

• All of the above

• By their hardness

Why is color the least useful property for mineral identification?

• Because color can change over time

• Because many different minerals have the same color

• Because some minerals come in many colors

• Because color is not a physical property of minerals

What is luster?

• A mineral's crystal shape

• A mineral's ability to reflect light

• A mineral's resistance to being scratched

• A mineral's specific gravity

What is hardness?

• A mineral's specific gravity

• A mineral's ability to reflect light

• A mineral's crystal shape

• A mineral's resistance to being scratched

Which scale is commonly used to compare the hardness of minerals?

• Luster scale

• Cleavage scale

• Specific gravity scale

• Mohs scale

What is cleavage?

• The way a mineral reflects light

• The way a mineral forms crystals

• The way a mineral breaks along smooth planes

• The way a mineral resists being scratched

What is specific gravity?

• The density of a mineral compared to the density of water

• The way a mineral resists being scratched

• The way a mineral breaks along smooth planes

• The way a mineral reflects light

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

How is specific gravity calculated?

• By finding the weight of the mineral in air and water

• By finding the weight of the mineral in air and oil

• By finding the weight of the mineral in air and sand

• By finding the weight of the mineral in air and ice

What is a crystal?

• A mineral's specific gravity

• A mineral's ability to reflect light

• A mineral's resistance to being scratched

• A natural solid with a definite shape