Minerals/Weathering and Erosion

The table below shows characteristics of some minerals.

• Fluorite is the hardest mineral.

• Apatite is softer than fluorite.

• Quartz will scratch topaz but will not scratch orthoclase.

• Corundum will scratch every mineral except diamond.

Which could be used to help identify an unknown mineral?

• weighing the mineral

• determining if the mineral floats in water

• pouring different liquids on the mineral

• determining the hardness of the mineral

Two crystals both have the appearance of a diamond, but only one of them is actually a diamond. Which crystal is most likely the diamond?

• the one that is heavier

• the one that is clearer

• the one that can scratch the other

• the one that shows a white streak on a streak plate

Bill scratched a rock with a nail. What property was he testing?

• color

• luster

• hardness

• streak

Which process is necessary for the formation of igneous rocks?

• deposition

• erosion

• solidification

• compaction

Michelle studies the sample of rock shown below. Michelle decides that the sample is from a sedimentary rock. Which sentence explains why Michelle classifies the sample as sedimentary rock?

• The layers show that the rock was formed by a single element under high pressure.

• The layers show that the rock was formed by a single element under extreme heat.

• The layers show that the rock was formed by one or more minerals that cooled very quickly.

• The layers show that the rock was formed by one or more minerals that compacted over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What has to be present in order for metamorphic rocks to form?

• melting and cooling

• heat and pressure

• weathering and erosion

• compaction and sedimentation

The soil on a steep hill with little vegetation has become soaked because of excessive rain. Which surface change is most likely to occur if more heavy rain continues to fall?

• a sinkhole

• a landslide

• an earthquake

• a volcanic eruption

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

What causes the formation of most canyons over time?

• landslides

• windstorms

• earthquakes

• water erosion

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

The Grand Canyon is about 10 miles wide, 1 mile deep, and 277 miles long. What processes caused the canyon to form?

• erosion and weathering

• earthquakes and erosion

• landslides and weathering

• landslides and earthquakes

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2