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25 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is the definition of a mineral? (Remember that there are 4 parts to the definition.) |
They are naturally occurring, inorganic solids, have an ordered internal molecular structure, and a definite chemical composition. |
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How is a "rock" different from a "mineral"? |
Rocks do not have definite chemical compositions |
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What controls chemical bonding? What is the difference between "ionic", "covalent", and "metallic" bonding? |
Chemical bonding is controlled by the bonding of atoms. Ionic bonding is when an electron is transferred, making a weak bond. Covalent bonding is when an electron is shared, making for a strong bond. A metallic bond is when electrons roam, allowing for electricity. |
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What are the 2 most abundant elements in the continental crust? |
Oxygen and silicon |
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The silicate mineral group is sub-divided into 2 groups. What are the 2 groups called and how are they different from each other? |
The groups are ferromagnesium and non-ferromagnesium. Ferromagnesium contains iron or magnesium, is dark in color, and has a high specific gravity. Non-ferromagnesium is rich in calcium, potassium, sodium, is light in color, and has a low specific gravity |
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There are several mineral groups in addition to the silicates. What criteria are used to divide the minerals into different groups? |
The criteria used to divide the minerals is dependant upon the elements that make them up |
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What determines the physical properties of minerals? |
Composition, internal structure, crystal form, and optical properties |
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What is the difference between crystal form, cleavage, and fracture? |
Crystal form is the external expression of a mineral’s internal structure. Cleavage is the tendency to break along planes of weak bonding. Fracture is the absence of cleavage when a mineral is broken |
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What is the difference between luster, color, and streak? |
Luster is the appearance of a mineral in reflected light. Color is generally unreliable for mineral identification. Streak is the color of a mineral in its powdered form |
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What is meant by mineral "hardness" and how is hardness measured?
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Hardness is the resistance of a mineral to abrasion or scratching. Hardness is measured on a scale called the Moh’s scale of hardness
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What is the “Rock Cycle”?
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The rock cycle shows the interrelationships among the three rock types: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary
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What is the definition of an "igneous" rock?
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An igneous rock forms through the cooling and crystallization of magma
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What 2 criteria are used to classify igneous rocks?
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Chemical composition and texture |
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What is meant by the "texture" of an igneous rock and how can this be used todetermine cooling history?
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Texture is the size and arrangement of the crystals of an igneous rock. It can be used to determine cooling history because rocks that have large crystals cooled slowly, whereas rocks with small or no crystals cooled quickly
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In the classification of igneous rocks, what is the different between "felsic" and"mafic" rocks? Name a classic example of each
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Felsic rocks have non-ferromagnesium minerals. Mafic rocks have ferromagnesium minerals. A felsic rock would be granite. A mafic rock would be basalt
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In the classification of igneous rocks, what is the different between "felsic" and"mafic" rocks? Name a classic example of each.
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Felsic rocks have non-ferromagnesium minerals. Mafic rocks have ferromagnesium minerals. A felsic rock would be granite. A mafic rock would be basalt
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In the classification of igneous rocks, what is the difference between "volcanic"and "plutonic" rocks?
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A volcanic rock is created when magma on the Earth’s surface cools in an extrusive environment. A plutonic rock is created when magma beneath the Earth’s surface in an intrusive environment
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What defines a "metamorphic" rock? What are the 3 "agents" of metamorphism?
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A metamorphic rock is formed when existing rocks are altered by the effects of heat/pressure. The agents are heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids
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What is the difference between "contact" and "regional" metamorphism?
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Contact metamorphism occurs near a body of magma and changes are driven by a rise in temperature. Regional metamorphism occurs during directed high pressures and high temperatures during mountain building
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What is the difference between "low grade" and "high grade" metamorphism?
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Low-grade metamorphism is when changes are minor whereas high-grade metamorphism is when original features of the rock are destroyed
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What is the difference between "foliated" and "non-foliated" metamorphictexture? Give a classic example of each
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Foliated metamorphic texture has the minerals in a parallel alignment. The minerals are perpendicular to the compressional force. A foliated rock is gneiss. Non-foliated metamorphic texture contains equidimensional crystals and resembles a coarse-grained igneous rock. A non-foliated rock is marble
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What is "mechanical" weathering? What are some examples of mechanical weathering?
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Mechanical weathering is the physical breaking apart of Earth’s materials. Examples include frost wedging, unloading, and biological activity
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What is "chemical" weathering? What are some examples of chemical weathering?
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Chemical weathering alters the internal structure of minerals by removing and/or adding elements. Water hitting the rock is chemical weathering, also known as hydrolysis. Oxidation or dissolution by acids also decompose rocks
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What are the 2 main categories for classifying "sedimentary" rocks? Give someexamples of common sedimentary rocks from each category
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Sedimentary rocks are classified based upon the source of the material. The two categories are detrital rocks and chemical rocks. Detrital sedimentary rocks include conglomerate and breccia. Chemical sedimentary rocks include limestone and coquina
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Sedimentary rocks provide important evidence for deciphering Earth's history.What 2 features of sedimentary rocks are crucial in providing this evidence?
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Strata and fossils |
