Physical Mineral Properties Quiz: Master Key Characteristics

Diamond is the hardest known substance in nature because of its unique crystal structure. It is made up of carbon atoms arranged in a strong and rigid lattice structure, which gives it exceptional hardness. The strong covalent bonds between the carbon atoms make it difficult to break or scratch the surface of a diamond. This hardness is why diamonds are used in various industrial applications, such as cutting and grinding tools.

If a mineral breaks along smooth, even surfaces, it cleaves. Cleavage is a key property used in mineral identification.

Fracture refers to the way a mineral breaks when it is not along a cleavage plane. Instead of breaking along smooth, flat surfaces, a mineral that fractures will break irregularly, producing rough and uneven surfaces. This can occur due to the absence of cleavage planes or the presence of impurities or defects in the crystal structure.

Diamond is the hardest mineral on the Mohs scale because it has a unique crystal structure that allows it to form strong covalent bonds between its carbon atoms. These bonds give diamond its exceptional hardness, making it able to scratch and cut through most other materials. The Mohs scale is a system used to measure the hardness of minerals, and diamond is assigned the highest rating of 10, indicating its superior hardness compared to other minerals.

The term "fracture" refers to the way a mineral breaks when it is hit or subjected to stress. In this case, the mineral in question breaks into irregular, non-parallel surfaces, indicating that it has a fracture rather than cleavage. Cleavage, on the other hand, refers to the tendency of a mineral to break along specific planes of weakness, resulting in smooth, flat surfaces. Since the mineral in question does not exhibit this characteristic, it can be concluded that it fractures instead of cleaving.

DNA is a molecule that is composed of many atoms. It is a complex structure made up of nucleotides, which consist of a sugar molecule, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. These components are connected by chemical bonds, forming a long, double-stranded helical structure. The atoms within the DNA molecule include carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus, among others. Therefore, the correct answer is that DNA is made up of lots of atoms.

The nucleus makes up most of the mass and is made up of protons and neutrons.

Each horizontal row on the periodic table is called a period.

Most minerals are found in Earth's crust. The Earth's crust is the outermost layer of the Earth and is composed of various rocks and minerals. This is where most of the minerals that we use and extract for various purposes, such as building materials and metals, are found. Minerals are formed through geological processes over millions of years and are concentrated in the Earth's crust.

Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom. They have a mass of approximately 1 amu (atomic mass unit). Unlike electrons, which are negatively charged and orbit the nucleus, protons are held within the nucleus and contribute to the overall positive charge of the atom.

Fracture refers to the way a mineral breaks when it does not have a specific pattern of cleavage. Instead of breaking along specific planes, a mineral with fracture will break irregularly, with rough or jagged surfaces.

A proton is a subatomic particle that carries a positive charge. It is one of the fundamental particles that make up an atom's nucleus. Protons have a charge of +1, which means they are positively charged. This charge is equal in magnitude but opposite in sign to the charge of an electron, which is -1. The positive charge of a proton is essential for the stability and structure of an atom, as it balances out the negative charge of the electrons orbiting the nucleus.

Gold, silver, and copper are examples of native elements. Native elements are minerals that occur naturally in an uncombined or pure form, without any other elements or compounds present. These minerals are typically found in their metallic state and have distinct physical properties that make them valuable and useful in various industries. Gold, silver, and copper have been prized for their beauty and conductivity for centuries and are widely used in jewelry, electronics, and other applications.

Electrons orbit the nucleus and are negatively charged. Electrons are subatomic particles that have a negative charge and are found in energy levels or orbitals around the nucleus of an atom. They play a crucial role in chemical bonding and determining the chemical properties of an element. The statement accurately describes the behavior and charge of electrons in an atom.

Electrons are the subatomic particles that are most involved in chemical bonding. This is because electrons are negatively charged and are responsible for the formation of chemical bonds between atoms. During chemical bonding, atoms gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, resulting in the formation of chemical compounds. Protons and neutrons, on the other hand, are found in the nucleus of an atom and do not directly participate in chemical bonding. Isotopes are different forms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons and also do not directly participate in chemical bonding.

Mica is a mineral that has a unique property of cleaving into thin, flexible sheets or flakes. This property allows mica to be easily separated into thin layers, often as thin as paper. This characteristic is commonly used in various industries, such as in electrical insulation, thermal insulation, and as a filler in paint and plastics.

If a mineral breaks along flat or even surfaces, it has cleavage. Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along specific planes of weakness, resulting in smooth and flat surfaces. This is different from fracture, which is the tendency of a mineral to break irregularly and not along specific planes. Luster refers to the way light reflects off the surface of a mineral, and streak refers to the color of the powdered form of a mineral.

The first energy level can hold a maximum of 2 electrons. This is because the first energy level consists of only one sublevel, the s sublevel, which can hold a maximum of 2 electrons.

The Mohs scale is a scale used to measure the hardness of minerals. It ranks minerals from 1 to 10 based on their ability to scratch each other. The higher the number on the scale, the harder the mineral. Therefore, the correct answer is "a mineral" because the Mohs scale is used to measure the hardness of minerals.

The electron is the subatomic particle that orbits the nucleus in a fixed orbit. It has a negative charge and is much smaller and lighter than the proton and neutron. The electron's movement around the nucleus is governed by the forces of attraction between the negatively charged electron and the positively charged protons in the nucleus. This fixed orbit is known as an electron shell or energy level.