Physical Properties of Minerals questions

One mineral turns violet when it contains an iron compound and another turns brown when it contains the element iron. These two minerals, respectively, are ..........

1. A quartz / sphalerite
2. B hematite / quartz
3. C malachite / rock crystal
4. D malachite / diamond

By studying the minerals plagioclase, gypsum and mica, it becomes clear that they have ..........

1. A similar chemical composition and physical properties
2. B similar chemical composition and different physical properties
3. C different chemical composition and similar physical properties
4. D different chemical composition and physical properties

The change in the wavelength of light reflected from a mineral when it is moved in front of the eye is known as ..........

1. A play of colours
2. B luster
3. C cleavage
4. D streak

Most minerals are characterized by all of the following except that they are ..........

1. A compound minerals
2. B multicoloured
3. C of monoclinic crystals
4. D of cubic crystals

The gemstone in the opposite figure is characterized by the property of ..........

1. A metallic luster
2. B cleavage
3. C streak
4. D play of colours

The main reason the opposite mineral has this colour is a compound made of two elements, which are ..........

1. A oxygen and iron
2. B manganese and iron
3. C zinc and iron
4. D iron and carbon

The colour of rock crystal changes to pink because of ..........

1. A a change in the crystal system
2. B the presence of many gas bubbles
3. C the presence of manganese impurities
4. D the presence of iron oxide impurities

Which of the following may represent the opposite compound mineral?

1. A Rock crystal
2. B Sphalerite
3. C Malachite
4. D Sulphur

The mineral that is prospected for as a source of the element zinc (Zn) is ..........

1. A hematite
2. B calcite
3. C sphalerite
4. D malachite

The opposite figure represents the crystal system of the mineral halite, which determines ..........

1. A the age of the mineral's formation
2. B the mineral's permeability coefficient
3. C the temperature of the mineral's formation
4. D the physical properties of the mineral

The correct descending order of minerals according to the degree of luster is ..........

1. A anhydrite then galena then olivine
2. B kaolinite then quartz then gold
3. C pyrite then feldspar then kaolinite
4. D mica then copper then gypsum

When the two opposite quartz samples are scratched, the colour of their streak is ..........

1. A white
2. B milky
3. C pink
4. D grey

In front of you is a crystal of the mineral quartz. The mineral appears in this crystal form because of the regular arrangement of the atoms of ..........

1. A silicon and iron
2. B silicon and manganese
3. C silicon and oxygen
4. D silicon and iron oxide

The physical property that appears in a sample of the mineral pyrite without using any tools is ..........

1. A the change of the yellow colour to green
2. B metallic luster
3. C cubic cleavage
4. D ductility and malleability

From the opposite figure, minerals (A) and (B), respectively, may be ..........

1. A (A) galena / (B) calcite
2. B (A) graphite / (B) calcite
3. C (A) graphite / (B) quartz
4. D (A) gold / (B) quartz

Hammering a mineral enables us to identify all of the following except ..........

1. A hardness
2. B malleability
3. C fracture
4. D cleavage

The number of directions of weakly bonded planes in the mineral quartz is ..........

1. A zero
2. B 1
3. C 2
4. D 3

Minerals (1), (2), (3) in the opposite figure may be ..........

1. A (1) quartz - (2) galena - (3) calcite
2. B (1) calcite - (2) orthoclase - (3) galena
3. C (1) quartz - (2) calcite - (3) galena
4. D (1) quartz - (2) calcite - (3) orthoclase

Which of the following minerals is the hardest?

1. A Talc
2. B Orthoclase
3. C Quartz
4. D Fluorite

Which of the following shapes results from the cracking of one of the sulphide minerals that is characterized by metallic luster?

1. A A
2. B B
3. C C
4. D D

A native element mineral that has cleavage in one plane is the mineral ..........

1. A mica
2. B graphite
3. C sulphur
4. D diamond

An experiment was carried out to determine the hardness of a mineral: it was scratched by a piece of glass and was also scratched by a copper coin. The hardness of the mineral is ..........

1. A less than «3.5»
2. B exactly «5.5»
3. C greater than «3.5»
4. D greater than «5.5»

How many minerals of the Mohs scale are scratched by the porcelain streak plate and cannot be scratched by a piece of glass?

1. A 1
2. B 2
3. C 3
4. D 6

The hardness of the human fingernail lies between the hardness of ..........

1. A topaz and corundum
2. B talc and gypsum
3. C quartz and topaz
4. D gypsum and calcite

Which of the following minerals scratches gypsum and is scratched by feldspar on the Mohs scale of hardness?

1. A A mineral that splits light into red and violet
2. B A mineral that scratches quartz
3. C A mineral used in the cement industry
4. D A mineral with conchoidal fracture

Which of the following graphs is correct according to the Mohs scale of hardness?

1. A A
2. B B
3. C C
4. D D

Which of the following statements is correct?

1. A Fluorite scratches gypsum
2. B Calcite scratches fluorite
3. C Talc scratches calcite
4. D Talc scratches fluorite

The type of cleavage in minerals is known from ..........

1. A hardness and streak
2. B the number of weakly bonded planes and the angles between them
3. C the number of angles and the fracture of the mineral
4. D the lengths of the crystal axes and the angles between them

Which of the following is a silicate mineral with conchoidal fracture?

1. A Orthoclase
2. B Flint
3. C Galena
4. D Limonite

From the opposite chart, which of the following minerals may letter (A) represent?

1. A Galena
2. B Mica
3. C Diamond
4. D Quartz

The mineral formed by the combination of sodium ions with chlorine has .......... cleavage.

1. A cubic
2. B rhombic
3. C sheet (platy)
4. D basal

The opposite mineral, whose specific gravity is 19.3, belongs to the group of ..........

1. A silicates
2. B sulphates
3. C oxides
4. D native elements

Which of the following is the correct descending order of the hardness of these minerals?

1. A Diamond then topaz then quartz then corundum
2. B Diamond then corundum then orthoclase then quartz
3. C Talc then calcite then fluorite then apatite
4. D Orthoclase then fluorite then calcite then talc

The mineral that can scratch apatite and cannot scratch topaz is ..........

1. A calcite
2. B orthoclase
3. C talc
4. D fluorite

The most suitable graph representing the relation between hardness and the difficulty of engraving on the mineral is graph ..........

1. A A
2. B B
3. C C
4. D D

The unglazed porcelain plate is used to find ..........

1. A colour and streak
2. B luster and streak
3. C hardness and luster
4. D streak and hardness

The mineral shown in the opposite picture may be the mineral ..........

1. A pyrite
2. B quartz
3. C hematite
4. D amethyst

The mineral that is scratched by the porcelain streak plate may have a hardness of ..........

1. A «5.5»
2. B «7»
3. C «7.5»
4. D «8»

From your study of the property of hardness, the most correct statement is that ..........

1. A the human fingernail scratches calcite and does not scratch gypsum
2. B calcite can be scratched by a copper coin
3. C the mineral apatite can scratch topaz
4. D the hardness of the streak plate is about «7.5»

Which of the following properties does not characterize the mineral of heavy specific gravity shown in the opposite figure?

1. A It has metallic luster
2. B Its specific gravity is 19.3
3. C It has cubic cleavage
4. D It belongs to the sulphide group

Which of the following statements is the most accurate definition of cleavage?

1. A The splitting of a mineral along smooth surfaces
2. B The ability of a mineral to be shaped into sheets
3. C The breaking of a mineral along irregular broken surfaces
4. D The resistance of a mineral to scratching

The cleavage shown in the opposite picture belongs to the mineral ..........

1. A sphalerite
2. B halite
3. C quartz
4. D calcite

The mineral that does not contain weakly bonded planes among the following is ..........

1. A mica
2. B quartz
3. C graphite
4. D halite

When a mineral sample was examined, it was noticed that it did not split even though pressure was applied to it. This indicates ..........

1. A the degree of hardness of the mineral
2. B the strength of the bonds between the mineral's molecules
3. C the waviness of its luster
4. D the increase in the specific gravity of the mineral

The property shared by gold and galena among the following is ..........

1. A heavy specific gravity
2. B non-metallic luster
3. C native element minerals
4. D rhombic cleavage

To which mineral group does the mineral that cleaves in three perpendicular directions and has a heavy specific gravity belong?

1. A Carbonates
2. B Sulphides
3. C Oxides
4. D Silicates

The mineral that cleaves as in the opposite figure may be ..........

1. A mica
2. B halite
3. C amethyst
4. D graphite

From the opposite picture, which cohesive property can be deduced from the picture?

1. A Luster
2. B Colour
3. C Cleavage
4. D Hardness

The number of directions of the weakly bonded planes in the mineral mica is ..........

1. A zero
2. B 1
3. C 2
4. D 3

The data in the opposite table show the properties of one mineral. Which of the following minerals do the properties in the table represent?

1. A Calcite
2. B Orthoclase
3. C Amethyst
4. D Apatite

The opposite table shows information about 3 different minerals (A), (B), (C). What are these minerals, respectively?

1. A (A) mica / (B) halite / (C) calcite
2. B (A) barite / (B) dolomite / (C) diamond
3. C (A) graphite / (B) halite / (C) quartz
4. D (A) mica / (B) calcite / (C) feldspar

The following table gives information about four minerals (A), (B), (C), (D):
The opposite figure represents a sample of mineral (A), which is ..........

1. A hematite
2. B calcite
3. C pyrite
4. D galena

The following table gives information about four minerals (A), (B), (C), (D):
The mineral that can scratch minerals (A), (B), (C) and cannot scratch mineral (D) among the following is ..........

1. A fluorite
2. B talc
3. C quartz
4. D gypsum

From the opposite graph, which shows the hardness of four different minerals, which of the following minerals scratches gypsum and cannot scratch calcite?

1. A Mica
2. B Fluorite
3. C Olivine
4. D Graphite

When a piece of amethyst is scratched with a piece of rock crystal, ..........

1. A the amethyst scratches the rock crystal and gives a pink powder
2. B the rock crystal scratches the amethyst and gives a violet powder
3. C each of them scratches the other and gives a white powder
4. D neither of them scratches the other

Which of the following choices represents one similarity between minerals (A) and (C) and another similarity between minerals (B) and (C) in the opposite chart, respectively?

1. A Fracture / mineral group
2. B Luster / fracture
3. C Cleavage / mineral group
4. D Hardness / cleavage

A large piece of mineral, light pink in colour, that scratches glass and is used in making ceramic ware is ..........

1. A hematite
2. B feldspar
3. C quartz
4. D diamond

The following table records some physical properties of five minerals:
The mineral that can scratch fluorite and cannot scratch orthoclase among the following is ..........

1. A brucite
2. B magnesite
3. C carnallite
4. D olivine

The ornamental stone that contains the two most abundant elements in the Earth's crust is ..........

1. A amethyst
2. B calcite
3. C malachite
4. D sphalerite

The following table shows some physical properties of a mineral:
The chemical elements forming this mineral are ..........

1. A oxygen and silicon
2. B sulphur and zinc
3. C oxygen, carbon and calcium
4. D oxygen and iron

The following figures show three different physical experiments carried out on a mineral and their results. Observe them well, then answer:
The mineral tested is ..........

1. A galena
2. B calcite
3. C halite
4. D quartz

The following figures show three different physical experiments carried out on a mineral and their results. Observe them well, then answer:
The luster of this mineral can be tested by ..........

1. A using a piece of magnet
2. B observing the degree of light reflection on the mineral's surface
3. C using unglazed porcelain
4. D observing the wavelength reflected from the mineral

We have four minerals: (1) quartz, (2) calcite, (3) flint, (4) mica.
From your study of the distinguishing properties of these minerals, answer the following:
The minerals characterized by non-metallic vitreous luster are ..........

1. A (1), (2)
2. B (1), (3)
3. C (1), (4)
4. D (2), (3)

We have four minerals: (1) quartz, (2) calcite, (3) flint, (4) mica.
From your study of the distinguishing properties of these minerals, answer the following:
The minerals that have cleavage are ..........

1. A (1), (4)
2. B (1), (2)
3. C (2), (4)
4. D (2), (3)

We have four minerals: (1) quartz, (2) calcite, (3) flint, (4) mica.
From your study of the distinguishing properties of these minerals, answer the following:
The minerals characterized by conchoidal fracture are ..........

1. A (3), (4)
2. B (1), (4)
3. C (2), (4)
4. D (1), (3)

By studying the specific gravity of the mineral in the opposite figure, it was found to be 2.1. The mineral is probably ..........

1. A galena
2. B quartz
3. C mica
4. D halite

The colours of minerals differ according to the impurities and the chemical composition. Through this, state:
(1) What is the reason for the change of the colour of sphalerite to brown?
(2) What is the colour of the powder produced by rubbing amethyst with rock crystal?
(3) What is the shape of the surface produced by breaking rose quartz?

State the following properties of the Mohs scale mineral that is scratched by the porcelain streak plate, is not affected when rubbed against glass, and is one of the feldspar minerals:
(1) Luster.
(2) Mineral group.
(3) Use.
(4) Degree of hardness.

Minerals differ in their ability to split along weakly bonded planes. In the light of this:
(1) What is the result of applying pressure on each of mineral (A), whose chemical composition is silicon dioxide, and mineral (B), whose chemical composition is sodium chloride?
(2) What happens when hammering mineral (C), whose specific gravity is 19.3, and mineral (D), whose specific gravity is 7.5?

Some minerals may be similar in colour but differ in other properties. In the light of this:
(1) What is the luster of the mineral that has a colour like the colour of gold? And what is the colour of its powder?
(2) Quartz and its streak may have the same colour under certain conditions. Explain this.

State the mineral group of each of the following:
(1) The hardest mineral on the Mohs scale.
(2) A mineral whose specific gravity is 7.5
(3) A mineral on the Mohs scale that is scratched by a copper coin and is not scratched by the human fingernail.

The opposite chart shows some information about mineral (X):
(1) What is mineral (X)? And what is its colour?
(2) What is the sum of the percentages of the elements forming it out of the volume of the Earth's rocks?

State one similarity and one difference between each of:
(1) Amethyst and rose quartz.
(2) Hardness and cleavage.

The opposite picture shows a sample of a mineral whose chemical composition is sodium chloride. Study the picture well, then answer:
(1) State a cohesive property that can easily be described from the picture.
(2) What is the mineral shown in the picture?
(3) What is the crystal system of the mineral shown?

The data in the following table show the properties of a mineral: luster: vitreous, chemical composition: calcium carbonate. Study them, then answer:
(1) What is the cleavage of the mineral shown in the table?
(2) To which mineral group does the mineral that comes directly before it on the Mohs scale of hardness belong?
(3) What silicate mineral is similar to the mineral shown in the table in luster?

The following table shows the properties of two different minerals. Study it well, then answer:
Mineral (X): luster vitreous, cleavage A, ore for making glass, mineral group silicates.
Mineral (Z): luster vitreous, cleavage in more than one direction, ore for making cement, mineral group B
(1) What are minerals (X) and (Z)?
(2) What do letters (A) and (B) indicate?

Which of the following minerals is a compound and reflects light to a greater degree? (Trial exam / June 2021)

1. A Calcite
2. B Pyrite
3. C Gold
4. D Feldspar

Which of the following is a native element mineral and reflects light to a greater degree? (1st session 2021, Sample exam 2025)

1. A Quartz
2. B Gold
3. C Galena
4. D Feldspar

Study the following table, then deduce: (2nd session 2022)
Group (1): galena, pyrite, gold.
Group (2): feldspar, calcite, quartz.
What is the classification criterion used to distinguish between the two groups?

1. A The degree of light reflection
2. B Magnetic properties
3. C The colour of the mineral's powder
4. D Ductility and malleability

What is expected to happen when a limited number of atoms of one element are replaced by atoms of another element in the crystal of a mineral? (Trial exam 2023)

1. A A difference in the colour of the mineral's powder
2. B A difference in the crystal system of the mineral
3. C A difference in the mineral's resistance to scratching
4. D A difference in the wavelength of the light reflected from it

The carbonate mineral used in the past as ornamental stones can be identified in the field by its .......... (1st session 2023)

1. A specific gravity
2. B luster
3. C colour
4. D crystal system

All of the following minerals need their streak to be known to identify them except .......... (1st session 2023)

1. A hematite
2. B sulphur
3. C quartz
4. D pyrite

When a slice of a mineral is placed on the pages of a book and the words are seen clearly, the mineral is probably .......... (1st session 2024)

1. A yellow sphalerite
2. B galena
3. C yellow sulphur
4. D hematite

We have three minerals:
(X): a sulphide mineral with a black streak.
(Y): a carbonate mineral.
(Z): an oxide mineral whose streak is red.
Their colours, respectively, are .......... (Sample exam 2025)

1. A golden / green / red
2. B green / white / red
3. C golden / white / lemon
4. D black / white / golden

The mineral that is not scratched by the porcelain streak plate is .......... (Trial exam / May 2021)

1. A orthoclase
2. B calcite
3. C amethyst
4. D apatite

Which of the following graphs represents the correct relation between the property of cleavage and the strength of chemical bonds in minerals? (Trial exam / May 2021)

1. A A
2. B B
3. C C
4. D D

Which of the following minerals has metallic luster and splits in more than one direction when hammered? (Trial exam / May 2021)

1. A Graphite
2. B Quartz
3. C Galena
4. D Calcite

Which native element mineral is characterized by weak chemical bonds and splits in one direction only? (Trial exam / June 2021, Sample exam 2025)

1. A Halite
2. B Biotite
3. C Muscovite
4. D Graphite

What is the similarity between the mineral halite and the mineral calcite? (1st session 2021)

1. A The number of cleavage planes
2. B The number of their chemical elements
3. C The mineral group
4. D The degree of solubility in water

What are the similarity and the difference, respectively, between the minerals quartz and calcite? (2nd session 2021)

1. A They are similar in cleavage / they differ in fracture
2. B They are similar in being compound minerals / they differ in non-metallic luster
3. C They are similar in vitreous luster / they differ in cleavage
4. D They are similar in colour / they differ in ductility and malleability

By studying the chart in front of you, mineral (A) is .......... (2nd session 2021)

1. A quartz
2. B calcite
3. C orthoclase
4. D galena

Although diamond and graphite have the same chemical composition, they differ in hardness: diamond scratches all minerals, including graphite, because of .......... (2nd session 2021)

1. A the different type of impurities in each of them
2. B the different amount of impurities in each of them
3. C each of them having a specific chemical composition
4. D the different crystal system of each of them

You have two samples of two different minerals:
The first sample: a silicate mineral that scratches orthoclase and does not scratch topaz.
The second sample: a carbonate mineral whose cleavage is rhombic.
What is the similarity between the two samples? (1st session 2022)

1. A The degree of light reflection
2. B The degree of resistance to abrasion
3. C The type of splitting
4. D The type of fracture

From the opposite chart, to which mineral group does mineral (X) belong? (2nd session 2022)

1. A Silicates
2. B Oxides
3. C Sulphates
4. D Carbonates

From studying the following table:
Mineral (1): golden in colour, its streak is black.
Mineral (2): malleable and ductile, its luster is metallic.
Mineral (3): its colour is violet, its streak is white.
The mineral groups of minerals (1), (2), (3), respectively, are .......... (1st session 2023, Sample exam 2025)

1. A (1) native elements / (2) silicates / (3) sulphides
2. B (1) sulphates / (2) native elements / (3) silicates
3. C (1) silicates / (2) sulphides / (3) native elements
4. D (1) sulphides / (2) native elements / (3) silicates

(X) and (Y) are two minerals that reflect a large amount of the light falling on them. If you know that they are compound minerals and belong to the same mineral group, state two physical properties to distinguish between them .......... (2nd session 2023)

1. A (X) its cleavage is rhombic - (Y) its streak is white
2. B (X) its streak is black - (Y) its colour is transparent yellow
3. C (X) its specific gravity is light - (Y) its cleavage is cubic
4. D (X) its cleavage is cubic - (Y) its colour is golden yellow

A mineral has the same chemical composition as a mineral that splits parallel to the base of the crystal. This mineral is characterized by .......... (2nd session 2023)

1. A not being scratched by any mineral
2. B scratching quartz and not scratching corundum
3. C splitting the light falling on it into red and green
4. D its texture rippling when it is moved

From the following table, to which mineral group do minerals (1) and (2) belong? (1st session 2024)
Mineral (1): its colour is white, its cleavage is rhombic.
Mineral (2): its colour is constant green.

1. A Sulphides
2. B Silicates
3. C Sulphates
4. D Carbonates

A mineral has metallic luster, good cleavage in several perpendicular planes and a high specific gravity. It belongs to the group of .......... (2nd session 2024)

1. A silicates
2. B sulphides
3. C carbonates
4. D native elements

By studying the minerals in the following table: (1) calcite, (2) quartz, (3) sphalerite, (4) pyrite.
Which of the following choices is correct? (2nd session 2024)

1. A (1), (2) have vitreous luster; (3), (4) are from the same mineral group
2. B (1), (2) are from the same mineral group; (3), (4) have vitreous luster
3. C (1), (2) have rhombic cleavage; (3), (4) have a black streak
4. D (1), (2) have the same hardness; (3), (4) have rhombic cleavage

The similarity between galena and calcite is .......... (Sample exam 2025)

1. A the values of the angles between the cleavage planes
2. B the degree of reflection of the light falling on them
3. C the mineral group they belong to
4. D the number of directions of the cleavage planes

Which mineral cleaves in more than one direction and has non-metallic luster? (1st session 2025)

1. A Pyrite
2. B Galena
3. C Calcite
4. D Graphite

Which compound mineral has cleavage in one plane? (2nd session 2025)

1. A Galena
2. B Graphite
3. C Mica
4. D Calcite

A shiny mineral sample with metallic luster shows perfect cubic cleavage and has a heavy specific gravity. Which mineral best matches these properties? (Sample exam 2026)

1. A Graphite
2. B Mica
3. C Calcite
4. D Galena

Mineral (X) scratches the mineral forming limestone rock and cannot scratch the mineral amethyst. What is its approximate hardness on the «Mohs» scale? (Sample exam 2026)

1. A 1
2. B 2
3. C 5
4. D 7

The mineral whose chemical composition is silicon dioxide (SiO₂) is characterized by .......... (Sample exam 2026)

1. A a constant colour
2. B belonging to the oxides
3. C metallic luster
4. D having no weakly bonded planes

A mineral sample has non-metallic vitreous luster and cleaves in three non-perpendicular directions to form a rhombus. What is this mineral? (Sample exam 2026)

1. A Calcite
2. B Pyrite
3. C Potassium feldspar
4. D Gypsum

Flint and quartz are similar in all of the following except .......... (Sample exam 2026)

1. A the mineral group
2. B being found in igneous rocks
3. C conchoidal fracture
4. D having no cleavage

A mineral made of two elements is used in making spectacle lenses: (Trial exam 2023)
(1) What is the mineral?
(2) What is the mineral group?
(3) What is the shape of its surface when broken?
(4) What is the colour of the powder produced when it is scratched with diamond?