ADVANCED MINERALOGY: ESS 101
LAB 3B ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS. JUST RELEASED
1. Which of the following is NOT a fundamental requirement for a substance to be classified
as a mineral?
A. It must be naturally occurring.
B. It must possess a definite chemical composition.
C. It must have an ordered internal crystalline structure.
D. It must be formed through organic processes.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: By definition, minerals must be inorganic. Substances formed
solely through organic processes (like coal or pearls) are generally not considered minerals
in a strict geological sense.
2. A mineral that breaks into thin, flat sheets is said to exhibit which type of cleavage?
A. Basal cleavage
B. Prismatic cleavage
C. Cubic cleavage
,D. Rhombohedral cleavage
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Basal (or micaceous) cleavage occurs when a mineral breaks
along a single plane of weakness, resulting in thin, flat sheets, as seen in Muscovite and
Biotite.
3. What is the hardness of a mineral that can scratch a copper penny (H=3.5) but cannot be
scratched by a wire nail (H=4.5)?
A. Hardness of 4.0
B. Hardness of 3.0
C. Hardness of 5.0
D. Hardness of 2.5
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: If it scratches 3.5 and is softer than 4.5, its hardness is
approximately 4.0 (like Fluorite).
4. Which physical property describes the way light is reflected from the surface of a mineral?
A. Streak
B. Diaphaneity
C. Luster
D. Fracture
, Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Luster describes the appearance or quality of light reflected
from the surface, categorized broadly as metallic or non-metallic.
5. Which mineral is a polymorph of Diamond, meaning it has the same chemical composition
(Carbon) but a different crystal structure?
A. Galena
B. Halite
C. Graphite
D. Calcite
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Graphite and Diamond are both composed of pure carbon, but
their different internal atomic arrangements result in vastly different physical properties.
6. The tendency of a mineral to break along irregular, curved surfaces is known as:
A. Cleavage
B. Conchoidal fracture
C. Fibrous fracture
D. Striation
Answer: B
LAB 3B ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS. JUST RELEASED
1. Which of the following is NOT a fundamental requirement for a substance to be classified
as a mineral?
A. It must be naturally occurring.
B. It must possess a definite chemical composition.
C. It must have an ordered internal crystalline structure.
D. It must be formed through organic processes.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: By definition, minerals must be inorganic. Substances formed
solely through organic processes (like coal or pearls) are generally not considered minerals
in a strict geological sense.
2. A mineral that breaks into thin, flat sheets is said to exhibit which type of cleavage?
A. Basal cleavage
B. Prismatic cleavage
C. Cubic cleavage
,D. Rhombohedral cleavage
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Basal (or micaceous) cleavage occurs when a mineral breaks
along a single plane of weakness, resulting in thin, flat sheets, as seen in Muscovite and
Biotite.
3. What is the hardness of a mineral that can scratch a copper penny (H=3.5) but cannot be
scratched by a wire nail (H=4.5)?
A. Hardness of 4.0
B. Hardness of 3.0
C. Hardness of 5.0
D. Hardness of 2.5
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: If it scratches 3.5 and is softer than 4.5, its hardness is
approximately 4.0 (like Fluorite).
4. Which physical property describes the way light is reflected from the surface of a mineral?
A. Streak
B. Diaphaneity
C. Luster
D. Fracture
, Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Luster describes the appearance or quality of light reflected
from the surface, categorized broadly as metallic or non-metallic.
5. Which mineral is a polymorph of Diamond, meaning it has the same chemical composition
(Carbon) but a different crystal structure?
A. Galena
B. Halite
C. Graphite
D. Calcite
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Graphite and Diamond are both composed of pure carbon, but
their different internal atomic arrangements result in vastly different physical properties.
6. The tendency of a mineral to break along irregular, curved surfaces is known as:
A. Cleavage
B. Conchoidal fracture
C. Fibrous fracture
D. Striation
Answer: B
