Mineral Quiz

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1. What are the physical properties of pyrite?

Pyrite has a pearly luster, a streak of red, a hardness of 3

Pyrite has a glassy luster, a streak of yellow, a hardness of 7

Pyrite has a dull luster, a streak of white, a hardness of 5

Pyrite has a metallic luster, a streak of greenish black to black, a hardness of 6-6.5PYRITE

Pyrite is a common mineral that exhibits distinct physical properties including its metallic luster, streak color, and hardness level.

Explanation

Pyrite is a common mineral that exhibits distinct physical properties including its metallic luster, streak color, and hardness level.

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About This Quiz

Enhance your understanding of mineral identification with this interactive practice from WWU Geology 211. This educational tool is designed to refine skills in recognizing and classifying minerals through... see morehigh-quality photographs, aligning with academic standards and real-world geological applications. see less

2. What mineral is characterized by one cleavage plane, colorless usually, vitreous luster, hardness of 2-2.5, and perfect cleavage into thin sheets?

Calcite

Quartz

One cleavage plane, colorless usually, vitreous luster, hardness of 2-2.5, perfect cleavage, thin sheetsMICA MUSCOVITE

Feldspar

Mica Muscovite exhibits unique characteristics such as one cleavage plane, colorless appearance, vitreous luster, low hardness, and perfect cleavage into thin sheets that differentiate it from other minerals like Quartz, Feldspar, and Calcite.

Explanation

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3. What mineral is black to brownish black, has a vitreous luster, a hardness of 2.5-3, may have a faint brown/grey streak, exhibits perfect cleavage, and appears transparent in thin sheets?

Feldspar

Black to brownish black, vitreous luster, hardness of 2.5-3, may have faint brown/grey streak, perfect cleavage, transparent, thin sheetsMICA BIOTITE

Quartz

Gypsum

The description provided matches the characteristics of Mica Biotite, specifically its color range, luster, hardness, streak, cleavage, and transparency in thin sheets.

Explanation

The description provided matches the characteristics of Mica Biotite, specifically its color range, luster, hardness, streak, cleavage, and transparency in thin sheets.

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4. What are the characteristics of calcite?

4 cleavages, white color, hardness of 5, does not react with acid.

2 cleavages, dull appearance, hardness of 6, no reaction with acid.

3 cleavages, clear usually, vitreous luster, hardness of 3, 3 perfect cleavages, see double image through, reacts with acidCALCITE

5 cleavages, metallic luster, hardness of 2, reacts with water.

Calcite is known for having 3 cleavages, a clear usually vitreous luster, a hardness of 3, 3 perfect cleavages, the ability to see a double image through it, and a reaction with acid, making it unique from the other mineral options mentioned.

Explanation

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5. Which mineral exhibits a 0-1 cleavage plane, light apple green/grey/white color, pearly luster, hardness of 1, may have light grey streak, and a greasy feel?

Diamond

Quartz

0-1 cleavage plane, light apple green/grey/white color, pearly luster, hardness of 1, may have light grey streak, greasy feel.TALC

Feldspar

Talc is the correct answer as it matches all the given characteristics such as cleavage plane, color, luster, hardness, streak, and feel. Quartz, Diamond, and Feldspar do not match all of the listed characteristics.

Explanation

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6. Which mineral exhibits metallic luster, a red/brown streak, a hardness of 6, and may have micaceous (tiny flakes)?

Siderite

Magnetite

Metallic luster, red/brown streak, hardness of 6, may be micaceous(tiny flakes)HEMATITE

Pyrite

The correct mineral that exhibits these properties is Hematite. Magnetite also has metallic luster but typically has a black streak. Pyrite has a greenish black streak and Siderite has a white streak, both different from the red/brown streak of Hematite.

Explanation

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7. What mineral has a clear color usually, 3 cleavages, hardness of 2.5, cleavages are perfect (meeting at 90 degree angles), and is scratched by calcite?

Feldspar

Quartz

Talc

Clear color usually, 3 cleavages, hardness of 2.5, cleavages are perfect(meet at 90 degree angles), calcite scratches this mineralGYPSUM

The description matches that of GYPSUM which has the mentioned physical properties and is scratched by calcite. Quartz is harder than calcite, Feldspar has a different cleavage pattern, and Talc is softer than calcite.

Explanation

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8. What mineral may have one cleavage, metallic luster, black/grey streak, and a hardness of 1.5?

Pyrite

Diamond

Quartz

May have one cleavage, metallic luster, black/grey streak, hardness of 1.5GRAPHITE

Graphite is the mineral that possesses these specific characteristics, making it distinguishable from other minerals like Diamond, Quartz, and Pyrite.

Explanation

Graphite is the mineral that possesses these specific characteristics, making it distinguishable from other minerals like Diamond, Quartz, and Pyrite.

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9. What mineral has 3 excellent cleavages, metallic luster, hardness of 2.5, black/grey streak, and is commonly cubic in shape?

Feldspar

3 excellent cleavages, metallic luster, hardness of 2.5, black/grey streak, cubic commonGALENA

Quartz

Calcite

Galena is known for its distinctive metallic luster and cubic crystal structure. It also has a hardness of 2.5 on the Mohs scale and leaves a black/grey streak when scratched against a surface.

Explanation

Galena is known for its distinctive metallic luster and cubic crystal structure. It also has a hardness of 2.5 on the Mohs scale and leaves a black/grey streak when scratched against a surface.

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10. What mineral exhibits four cleavages, comes in colors of purple, green, blue, yellow, and clear, has a hardness of 4, and a vitreous luster?

Gypsum

Calcite

Quartz

Four cleavages, purple/green/blue/yellow/clear, hardness of 4, vitreous lusterFLOURITE

Fluorite is the only mineral mentioned that exhibits four cleavages, comes in multiple colors, has a hardness of 4, and a vitreous luster.

Explanation

Fluorite is the only mineral mentioned that exhibits four cleavages, comes in multiple colors, has a hardness of 4, and a vitreous luster.

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11. What are the characteristics of chalcopyrite?

Dull appearance, green color, hardness of 2-2.5, white streak

Shiny surface, brown color, hardness of 6-7, gray streak

Silvery shine, blue color, hardness of 5-6, black streak

Metallic luster, golden yellow, hardness of 3.5-4, copper red streakCHALCOPYRITE

Chalcopyrite is known for its metallic luster, golden yellow color, hardness of 3.5-4, and copper red streak, distinguishing it from the other incorrect characteristics provided.

Explanation

Chalcopyrite is known for its metallic luster, golden yellow color, hardness of 3.5-4, and copper red streak, distinguishing it from the other incorrect characteristics provided.

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12. What are the characteristics of quartz?

Clear, milky(many colors), hardness of 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, vitreous lusterQUARTZ

Blue, opaque, hardness of 8, perfect cleavage, fibrous fracture, metallic luster

Transparent, gray, hardness of 5, cleavage, dull luster

Green, translucent, hardness of 6, partial cleavage, uneven fracture, waxy luster

Quartz is known for its distinct characteristics including clear or milky appearance with various colors, a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture pattern, and vitreous luster.

Explanation

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13. What mineral is salmon-pink/white/gray/green in color, has a vitreous luster, a hardness of 6, 2 cleavages that meet at nearly right angles, and no striations?

Quartz

Mica

Calcite

Salmon-pink/white/gray/green, vitreous luster, hardness of 6, 2 cleavages that meet at nearly right angles, no striationsPOTASSIUM FELDSPAR

Potassium Feldspar is a mineral that fits the given description with its specific color, luster, hardness, cleavage, and lack of striations. Quartz, Calcite, and Mica have different characteristics that do not match the given description.

Explanation

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14. What mineral is white/dark grey, has vitreous luster, a hardness of 6, and features 2 cleavages meeting at nearly right angles?

Calcite

Quartz

Pyrite

White/dark grey, vitreous luster, hardness of 6, 2 cleavages meet at nearly right angles, some have perfect striations which you can see in reflected lightPLAGIOCLASE FELDSPAR

The correct answer is Plagioclase Feldspar, as it possesses all the mentioned characteristics.

Explanation

The correct answer is Plagioclase Feldspar, as it possesses all the mentioned characteristics.

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15. Which mineral is characterized by its reddish brown color, vitreous luster, hardness of 7, and a 12 sided crystal structure?

Reddish brown, vitreous luster, hardness of 7, 12 sided crystal, broken surfaces may resemble cleavage but it is just the crystal formGARNET

Hematite

Quartz

Topaz

The mineral described possesses specific characteristics including reddish brown color, vitreous luster, hardness of 7, and a distinct 12 sided crystal structure, which are all unique to garnet.

Explanation

The mineral described possesses specific characteristics including reddish brown color, vitreous luster, hardness of 7, and a distinct 12 sided crystal structure, which are all unique to garnet.

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