Assignment Questions - Minerals
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School
Florida Gateway College *
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Course
GLY 1001
Subject
Geology
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by MasterAnt11429
1)
What are the three primary particles found in atoms and how do they
differ from one another?
-
The three primary particles found in atoms are protons, neutrons, and
electrons. Protons carry a positive charge, electrons carry a negative
charge, and neutrons have no charge.
2)
What is the difference between atoms, ions, and isotopes?
-
Atoms are electrically neutral. Isotopes have varying numbers of
neutrons, and ions either gain or lose electrons.
3)
Name five things that you use every day that require minerals for their
formation.
-
1) Pencils 2) Computer 3) toothpaste 4) Sunscreen 5) Batteries
4) What are the eight most abundant elements in the Earth's crust? As a
result of the most abundant elements, what is the most common group in
the Earth's crust?
-
The earth's crust is mainly composed of silicate minerals due to the
abundance of oxygen, silicon, aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium,
sodium, and potassium.
4)
What are the two most common silicate minerals?
-
The two most frequently occurring silicate minerals are quartz and
feldspar.
5)
Sinkholes are caused by the dissolution of the underlying bedrock, and
most subsurface fluids are slightly acidic. What is the most common
mineral in the bedrock of these states?
-
The bedrock typically consists of limestone and is often covered with
sand and clay that dissolve in water.
7) What properties would be most useful in mineral identification if you had a
hand sample?
-
The most useful properties would be hardness, streak, luster, color,
fracture, and cleavage.
8) How can you tell the difference between quartz and feldspar?
- Quartz breaks into curvy and irregular shapes, while feldspar breaks into
flat faces. Quartz has a lustrous appearance and feldspar has a flashy
appearance.
9) How can you tell the difference between calcite and halite?
- Fluorite has a cubic cleavage, which means it breaks in four directions,
while Calcite has a Rhombic cleavage, breaking in three directions.
Additionally, you can differentiate between these two minerals by tasting
them. Halite, another mineral, is also colorless or white but with a vitreous
luster and can be found in a range of colors. Calcite, on the other hand, is
transparent or translucent but doesn't taste salty and can be easily diluted.
Unlike Calcite, Halite has a salty taste.
10) How can you tell the difference between pyrite and galena?
- Pyrite is a bright yellow or gold mineral that often occurs in cubic shapes with striations.
Galena, on the other hand, has a lead-gray color and is relatively soft, yet highly dense.
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