1. Chapter 3
Minerals of the Earth’s Crust
Preview
CRCT Preparation

2. Chapter 3
CRCT Preparation
1. Which of the following definitions best describes a mineral?
A a substance that cannot be separated or broken down into simpler substances by chemical means
B a substance made up of atoms of two or more different elements joined by chemical bonds
C a naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure
D a solid whose atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite pattern

3. Chapter 3
CRCT Preparation
1. Which of the following definitions best describes a mineral?
A a substance that cannot be separated or broken down into simpler substances by chemical means
B a substance made up of atoms of two or more different elements joined by chemical bonds
C a naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure
D a solid whose atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite pattern

4. Chapter 3 2. Which of the following substances is a mineral?
CRCT Preparation
2. Which of the following substances is a mineral?
A coal, which forms from the remains of living things
B fluorite, which is a crystalline solid with the chemical formula CaF2
C obsidian, which is a volcanic glass and is not crystalline
D brass, which is a metal that is made by humans

5. Chapter 3 2. Which of the following substances is a mineral?
CRCT Preparation
2. Which of the following substances is a mineral?
A coal, which forms from the remains of living things
B fluorite, which is a crystalline solid with the chemical formula CaF2
C obsidian, which is a volcanic glass and is not crystalline
D brass, which is a metal that is made by humans

6. Chapter 3
CRCT Preparation
3. Minerals that contain one of more elements combined with silicon and oxygen are called
A sulfides.
B silicates.
C oxides.
D halides.

7. Chapter 3
CRCT Preparation
3. Minerals that contain one of more elements combined with silicon and oxygen are called
A sulfides.
B silicates.
C oxides.
D halides.

8. Chapter 3 Use the table to answer question 4.
CRCT Preparation
Use the table to answer question 4.
4. On the Mohs hardness scale, which of the following minerals is harder than topaz?
A apatite
B talc
C corundum
D quartz

9. Chapter 3 Use the table to answer question 4.
CRCT Preparation
Use the table to answer question 4.
4. On the Mohs hardness scale, which of the following minerals is harder than topaz?
A apatite
B talc
C corundum
D quartz

10. Chapter 3 5. Which of the following is a nonsilicate mineral?
CRCT Preparation
5. Which of the following is a nonsilicate mineral?
A orthoclase, KAlSi3O8
B talc, Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
C almandine, Fe3Al2(SiO4)3
D magnetite, Fe3O4

11. Chapter 3 5. Which of the following is a nonsilicate mineral?
CRCT Preparation
5. Which of the following is a nonsilicate mineral?
A orthoclase, KAlSi3O8
B talc, Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
C almandine, Fe3Al2(SiO4)3
D magnetite, Fe3O4

12. Chapter 3
CRCT Preparation
6. Which of the following is NOT a way to reduce the impact of mining?
A recycling products that are made from minerals
B reducing the use of minerals to make products
C reclaiming land that has been disturbed by mining
D inventing new things to make out of minerals

13. Chapter 3
CRCT Preparation
6. Which of the following is NOT a way to reduce the impact of mining?
A recycling products that are made from minerals
B reducing the use of minerals to make products
C reclaiming land that has been disturbed by mining
D inventing new things to make out of minerals

14. Chapter 3
CRCT Preparation
7. Which of the following minerals can be identified by taste?
A magnetite
B fluorite
C calcite
D halite

15. Chapter 3
CRCT Preparation
7. Which of the following minerals can be identified by taste?
A magnetite
B fluorite
C calcite
D halite

16. Chapter 3 8. Minerals such as gypsum and halite form
CRCT Preparation
8. Minerals such as gypsum and halite form
A from hot water solutions.
B when a rock is altered by metamorphism.
C when bodies of salt water evaporate.
D from the cooling of magma that rises upward through the crust.

17. Chapter 3 8. Minerals such as gypsum and halite form
CRCT Preparation
8. Minerals such as gypsum and halite form
A from hot water solutions.
B when a rock is altered by metamorphism.
C when bodies of salt water evaporate.
D from the cooling of magma that rises upward through the crust.

18. Chapter 3 9. Why are gemstones valuable?
CRCT Preparation
9. Why are gemstones valuable?
A They can be used in concrete and to build buildings.
B They are good conductors of heat and electricity.
C They are beautiful and rare.
D They taste good.

19. Chapter 3 9. Why are gemstones valuable?
CRCT Preparation
9. Why are gemstones valuable?
A They can be used in concrete and to build buildings.
B They are good conductors of heat and electricity.
C They are beautiful and rare.
D They taste good.

20. Chapter 3 Use the table to answer Question 10.
CRCT Preparation
Use the table to answer Question 10.
10. Which of the following terms correctly completes the entry in the table?
A sulfate
B oxide
C carbonate
D halide

21. Chapter 3 Use the table to answer Question 10.
CRCT Preparation
Use the table to answer Question 10.
10. Which of the following terms correctly completes the entry in the table?
A sulfate
B oxide
C carbonate
D halide

22. Chapter 3
CRCT Preparation
11. What is the difference between an element, a mineral, and a rock?

23. Chapter 3
CRCT Preparation
11. Answer - Full-credit answers should include the following points:
Elements are pure substances that cannot be broken down into smaller substances by ordinary chemical means.
Some elements, such as gold, aluminum, or iron, can be minerals because they are solid, crystalline, and naturally formed by inorganic processes.
All minerals are made of one or more elements.
Rocks are made of one or more minerals.

24. Chapter 3
CRCT Preparation
12. A chemical analysis of a mineral sample shows its chemical composition as SiO2. In what group of minerals does this sample belong? How do you know?

25. Chapter 3
CRCT Preparation
12. Answer - Full-credit answers should include the following points:
The sample is a silicate mineral.
The sample is made of silicon and oxygen, which are found in all silicate minerals.
Non-silicate minerals do not contain combinations of silicon and oxygen.