Geology Chapter 2: Minerals – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
Mineral
answer
A *naturally occurring*, *inorganic*, *crystalline solid* that has a *specific* chemical composition
question
Mineralogy
answer
The *study* of minerals
question
All minerals have a ________ _________?
answer
Crystalline structure
question
Rocks
answer
Naturally formed aggregates of minerals or mineral-like substances
question
Atoms
answer
Smallest, electrically neutral assemblies of energy and matter than we know exist in the universe
question
Nucleus
answer
Contains: 1. *Protons*- positively charged 2. *Neutrons*- neutrally charged
question
Electrons
answer
Surround the nucleus; *negatively charged*
question
Element
answer
Defined by the *number of protons* in its nucleus (*atomic number*)
question
Isotopes (of an element)
answer
Atoms containing different numbers of neutrons but the *SAME number of protons*
question
Stable Isotope
answer
An isotope that will retain all of its protons and neutrons through time
question
Unstable (Radioactive) Isotope
answer
One in which protons or neutrons are, over time, spontaneously lost or gained by the nucleus
question
Atomic Weight (Atomic Mass)
answer
The weight of an *average* atom of an element (given in atomic mass units)
question
Cation
answer
A *positively* charged ion
question
Anion
answer
A *negatively* charged ion
question
Ionic Bonding
answer
Bonding due to the attraction between positively charged ions and negatively charged ions
question
Covalent Bonding
answer
Bonding in which adjacent atoms *share* electrons
question
Metallic Bonding
answer
Bonding of metals where the atoms are closely packed together and electrons move freely among atoms
question
Polymorphs
answer
Different crystal structures having the *same composition*
question
Two most common elements in the Earth's crust
answer
*Oxygen* (46.6%) and then *Silicon* (27.7%)
question
Silica
answer
Term for *oxygen combined with silicon*
question
Silicate Structures (4)
answer
1. *Isolated Silicate Structure*- silicate minerals that are structured so that NONE of the oxygen atoms are shared (example: Olivine) 2. *Chain Silicates*- when TWO of a tetrahedron's oxygen atoms are shared (example: Amphibole) 3. *Sheet Silicate Structure*- each tetrahedron shares THREE oxygen atoms to form a sheet (example: Clay) 4. *Framework Silicates* when ALL FOUR oxygen ions are shared (example: Quartz)
question
Physical Properties of Minerals
answer
1. Color 2. Streak 3. Luster 4. Hardness 5. External Crystal Form 6. Cleavage 7. Fracture 8. Specific Gravity 9. Special Properties
question
Streak
answer
Color of the powder formed when a mineral is *crushed*
question
Luster
answer
The quality and intensity of *light* that is reflected from the surface of a mineral 1. *Metallic luster*- appearance of being made of metal 2. *Nonmetallic luster*- glassy appearance
question
Hardness
answer
The property of *"scratchability"*
question
Moh's Hardness Scale
answer
Scale on which 10 minerals are designated as standards of hardness 1- *Talc* 2- *Gypsum* 3- *Calcite* 4- *Flourite* 5- *Apatite* 6- *Feldspar* 7- *Quartz* 8- *Topaz* 9- *Corundum* 10- *Diamond*
question
Cleavage
answer
The ability of a mineral to break (when struck or split) *along preferred planar directions*
question
Fracture
answer
The way a substance breaks where not controlled by cleavage; minerals that contain no cleavage commonly have an *irregular fracture*
question
Specific Gravity
answer
The ratio of a mass of a substance to the mass of an equal volume of water; *density*
question
Crystal Form (of a mineral)
answer
A set of faces that have a definite geometric relationship to one another (example: Halite, it is a cube)
question
If ___ or more faces on a crystal are identical in shape and size, they belong to the same crystal form
answer
*Two*
