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NSWEarth and Environmental ScienceQuick questions
Module 5: Earth's Processes
Quick questions on Minerals: formation and identification: HSC Earth and Environmental Science Module 5
4short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is the silicate framework?Show answer
Most rock-forming minerals are silicates, built from the silica tetrahedron, a unit of one silicon atom bonded to four oxygen atoms. The way these tetrahedra link, as isolated units, chains, sheets or three-dimensional frameworks, defines the major silicate groups (olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, mica, feldspar and quartz). Silicon and oxygen are the two most abundant elements in the crust, so silicates dominate Australian rocks.
What are identifying minerals by their properties?Show answer
Because structure controls properties, a few simple tests identify most common minerals.
What is q1?Show answer
Define a mineral and state two reasons opal does not strictly meet the definition. [3 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
A student has two grey samples and must decide which is haematite. Describe two tests that would distinguish it. [3 marks]
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