ESS 101 LAB 3A: AN INTRODUCTION TO
MINERALS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS. JUST
RELEASED
1. Which of the following is NOT part of the formal scientific definition of a mineral?
A. Naturally occurring
B. Definite chemical composition
C. Organic origin
D. Ordered internal crystalline structure
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Minerals must be inorganic. Organic substances, like coal or
amber, are not considered minerals because they originate from biological processes.
2. Why is volcanic glass (obsidian) not considered a mineral?
A. It is man-made
B. It is liquid at room temperature
C. It lacks an ordered atomic structure
D. It has no chemical composition
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Glass is amorphous, meaning its atoms are arranged randomly
rather than in a repeating crystalline lattice, which is required for minerals.
3. Luster refers to which physical property of a mineral?
A. The color of the mineral in powdered form
B. The weight of the mineral relative to water
C. The mineral’s resistance to being scratched
D. The way light reflects off the mineral’s surface
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Luster describes how a mineral’s surface interacts with light,
generally categorized as metallic or non-metallic.
4. A mineral that breaks along smooth, flat planes of atomic weakness is said to exhibit:
A. Fracture
B. Cleavage
C. Hardness
D. Striations
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along preferred
planes where chemical bonds are weaker.
5. What is the hardness of a human fingernail on the Mohs scale?
A. 1.5
B. 3.5
C. 2.5
D. 4.5
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A fingernail has a hardness of approximately 2.5, meaning it can
scratch Talc and Gypsum but not Calcite.
6. Which mineral is known for having a metallic luster and a ‘fool’s gold’ appearance?
A. Galena
B. Hematite
C. Magnetite
D. Pyrite
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Pyrite is commonly called ‘fool’s gold’ due to its brassy-yellow
metallic appearance, though its streak is greenish-black.
MINERALS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS. JUST
RELEASED
1. Which of the following is NOT part of the formal scientific definition of a mineral?
A. Naturally occurring
B. Definite chemical composition
C. Organic origin
D. Ordered internal crystalline structure
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Minerals must be inorganic. Organic substances, like coal or
amber, are not considered minerals because they originate from biological processes.
2. Why is volcanic glass (obsidian) not considered a mineral?
A. It is man-made
B. It is liquid at room temperature
C. It lacks an ordered atomic structure
D. It has no chemical composition
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Glass is amorphous, meaning its atoms are arranged randomly
rather than in a repeating crystalline lattice, which is required for minerals.
3. Luster refers to which physical property of a mineral?
A. The color of the mineral in powdered form
B. The weight of the mineral relative to water
C. The mineral’s resistance to being scratched
D. The way light reflects off the mineral’s surface
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Luster describes how a mineral’s surface interacts with light,
generally categorized as metallic or non-metallic.
4. A mineral that breaks along smooth, flat planes of atomic weakness is said to exhibit:
A. Fracture
B. Cleavage
C. Hardness
D. Striations
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along preferred
planes where chemical bonds are weaker.
5. What is the hardness of a human fingernail on the Mohs scale?
A. 1.5
B. 3.5
C. 2.5
D. 4.5
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A fingernail has a hardness of approximately 2.5, meaning it can
scratch Talc and Gypsum but not Calcite.
6. Which mineral is known for having a metallic luster and a ‘fool’s gold’ appearance?
A. Galena
B. Hematite
C. Magnetite
D. Pyrite
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Pyrite is commonly called ‘fool’s gold’ due to its brassy-yellow
metallic appearance, though its streak is greenish-black.
