Chapter 20 Phys Sci

The two most abundant elements in Earth’s crust are

silicon and oxygen

Minerals are composed of

inorganic solids

All minerals are

crystalline solids

What is the main difference between a mineral and an element?

An element is made of only one type of atom, while a mineral is a naturally occurring solid made of one or more elements

Most minerals can be identified by easily observable physical properties. In order of most useful to least useful, the identifiable physical properties are

hardness, cleavage, density, crystal form, and color

Color is not a reliable means for mineral identification because

minerals come in a variety of colors, and chemical impurities in minerals can affect color

A mineral's hardness is dependent on the

strength of its chemical bonds

The property of a mineral to break along planes of weakness is referred to as

cleavage

Minerals that have the same combination of elements but have different atomic arrangements are called

polymorphs

Mohs scale is based on minerals that have different

hardness

Which of the following properties most clearly reflects the internal arrangement of atoms in a crystalline material?

cleavage

The first minerals to crystallize are those with the

higher melting point

Minerals are formed by the process of

crystallization

The first minerals to crystallize from a cooling magma have a

high melting point and a low silica content

The precipitation of and crystallization of evaporite minerals is very similar to the crystallization of minerals from a magma. The first evaporite minerals to precipitate (crystallize) are those with the

lowest solubility

Rocks are grouped into three classes depending on how the rock was

formed

Igneous rock is formed from

crystallization of molten magma

Magma that solidifies before reaching Earth's surface is called

intrusive igneous rock, plutonic rock, pluton

Some ___ rock is formed from minerals that were once dissolved in water

sedimentary

The majority of surface rocks are

sedimentary

As rock is weathered it breaks down and erodes. Sedimentation begins where erosion stops. Erosion is

transportation of rock particles via water, wind or ice

Which process is primarily responsible for forming metamorphic rocks?

Heat and pressure altering existing rocks

Which of the following is an example of a metamorphic rock?

Marble

Which sequence shows a correct pathway in the rock cycle?

Igneous rock → weathering and erosion → sediment