Minerals and Elements

Which of the following is neutrally charged?

• an ion

• a compound

• an electron

• a proton

Atoms combine when

• their highest electron levels are filled.

• their electrons are shared or transferred.

• the number of protons and neutrons is the same.

• the number of electrons and protons is the same.

Compounds with low boiling points have

• metallic bonds.

• covalent bonds.

• ionic bonds.

• no chemical bonds.

Minerals that form from magma form as the result of

• crystallization

• evaporation

• precipitation

• condensation

The mineral barite (BaSO4) is a(n)

• oxide

• silicate

• carbonate

• sulfate

Color is often not a useful identification property because

• some minerals are colorless.

• the same mineral can be different colors

• different minerals can be different colors

• some minerals are single elements

What is a mineral's streak?

• the resistance to being scratched

• the color of the mineral in powder form

• the way in which the mineral reflects light

• the way the mineral reacts to hydrochloric acid

A particular mineral breaks like a piece of glass does. Which of these describes the breakage?

• cleavage

• hardness

• metallic luster

• fracture

Mineral properties depend on composition and

• structure

• luster

• cleavage

• streak

Which of the following pairs of minerals and a common usage of the mineral is not correct?

• graphite - pencil lead

• diamond - dentist drill bit

• quartz - drinking glasses

• talc - windows