NYS Regents Earth Science Reference Table Review

For mostly all questions and answers about rocks and minerals, it is essential to...

• use your Earth Science Reference Table!

• ...like seriously? Why would you not use your reference table?

Which minerals contain the two most abundant elements by mass in Earth’s crust?

• fluorite and calcite

• magnetite and pyrite

• galena and sulfur

• amphibole and quartz

The table above provides information about four minerals, A through D. Mineral A is most likely...

• Galena

• Garnet

• Olivine

• Halite

Mineral D is most likely...

• Galena

• Garnet

• Olivine

• Halite

Which mineral can scratch A, B, and C, but cannot scratch D?

• Talc

• Fluorite

• Quartz

• Selenite Gypsum

Quartz and halite have different crystal shapes primarily because

• Light reflects from crystal surfaces

• Energy is released during crystallization

• Of impurities that produce surface variations

• The internal arrangement of atom

Which processes lead directly to the formation of igneous rock?

• weathering and erosion

• compaction and cementation

• heat and pressure

• melting and solidification

Which rock is composed of the mineral halite that formed when seawater evaporated?

• limestone

• rock gypsum

• dolostone

• rock salt

The diagram above shows a cross-section through a portion of Earth’s crust. Rock found in the zone between A and B is non-foliated and fine grained. This rock is most likely

• metacongolomerate

• marble

• gneiss

• quartzite

Which sample best shows the physical properties normally associated with the slow cooling of magma?

• A

• B

• C

• D