Questions about atoms and minerals

1. What distinguishes one element from every other element?
2. What are the two types of primary sub-atomic particles that exist within a typical atomic nucleus?
3. What charge, if any, does a proton have?
4. What charge, if any, does a neutron have?
5. What charge, if any, does an electron have?
6. What is an atom or molecule with a charge (positive or negative) called?
7. What part of a typical atom has most of the mass of that atom?
8. What part of a typical atom has most of the volume of that atom?
9. What are the three most abundant elements in Earth's crust (by weight or by volume), listed in order with the most abundant first?
10. What are the two most abundant elements in the universe?
11. The atomic number of an element is equal to what characteristic feature of that element?
12. The atomic mass number of an element is equal to what characteristic feature of that element?
13. What are the three states of matter that are most relevant in the geosciences?
14. What makes isotopes of a given element different from one another?
15. Which of the three primary sub-atomic particles (proton, neutron, electron) is most significantly involved in chemical bonding?
16. What kind of chemical bond connects two or more atoms with different charges?
17. In what kind of chemical bond are electrons shared by two or more nuclei, in order to fill their valence shells?
18. In what kind of chemical bond are electrons free to move among several nuclei?
19. What is the name of the structure in which atoms or molecules are bound in a regular 3-dimensional geometric pattern, as is commonly depicted by "ball-and-stick" models?
20. What is the definition of a mineral? Answer: A mineral is (1) a naturally occurring solid, (2) that does not form solely through biological activity, (3) that has a crystalline or lattice structure, (4) whose chemical composition is fixed or varies within a set, narrow range, and (5) with diagnostic physical properties.
21. What is the general name given to the crystalline structures in which the two most common elements in Earth's crust are bound together -- a type of structure that forms the basis for the most common minerals in Earth's crust?
22. What is the process in which two different elements, that have a similar size and charge, can substitute for one another within the same crystal structure?
23. What is the name of the property of a crystal that breaks along specific parallel planes, because there are planes of weakness within that crystal lattice?
24. If a mineral breaks to form planar sheets (but breaks irregularly in all other directions), how many directions of cleavage does it have?
25. If a mineral breaks to form cubic/rectangular prisms, how many directions of cleavage does it have?
26. If a mineral breaks to form irregular surfaces like glass does, how many directions of cleavage does it have?
27. What is the name of the property of a mineral that relates to its resistance to abrasion/scratching?
28. What is the hardest mineral?
29. What is the Mohs-Scale value of the hardest mineral?
30. What is the Mohs-Scale value of glass?
31. What is the Mohs-Scale value of a typical fingernail?
32. What term is used to describe the ration of the mass of an object to its volume? (Note that your book refers to the ratio of the weight of a substance to its volume, but this is not correct.)
33. What property of a mineral describes the way light interacts with the surface of the mineral?
34. What property of a mineral describes the way light is selectively absorbed and re-transmitted by the mineral?
35. What odd term is used to describe the color of a fine powder of a mineral?
36. What are the two most abundant types of minerals in Earth's crust, both of which are silicates?
37. What is an example of a mineral whose structure is based on isolated silica tetrahedra?
38. What is an example of a mineral whose structure is based on a single chain of silicate tetrahedra?
39. What is an example of a mineral whose structure is based on a double chain of silicate tetrahedra?
40. What is an example of a mineral whose structure is based on a sheet of silicate tetrahedra?
41. What is an example of a mineral whose structure is based on a 3-dimensional framework of silicate tetrahedra?
42. What visible characteristic is shared by all mafic minerals?
43. What family of silicate minerals is quite prevalent in soils, and develops from the chemical weathering of feldspars and other minerals?
44. What are two minerals commonly formed by the evaporation of salty water from the sea or inland lakes?
45. What are two common minerals that contain calcium, carbon and oxygen (perhaps among other elements)?

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