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Geology Chapter 3
Chapter 3 of Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (10th)
40
Geology
Undergraduate 2
09/02/2013

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Term
Atom
Definition
The smallest particle that exists as an element.
Term
Atomic Number
Definition
The number of proton in the nucleus of an atom.
Term
Atomic Weight
Definition
The average of the atomic masses of isotopes for a given chemical.
Term
Cleavage
Definition
The tendency of a mineral to break along planes of weak bonding.
Term
Color
Definition
A phenomenon of light by which otherwise identical objects may be differentiated.
Term
Compound
Definition
A substance formed by the chemical combination of two or more elements in definite proportions and usually having properties different from those of its constituent elements.
Term
Covalent Bond
Definition
A chemical bond produced by the sharing of electrons
Term
Crystal Form
Definition
Any natural solid with an ordered, repetitive atomic structure.
Term
Dark Silicates
or
Ferromagnesian Silicates
Definition
Silicate minerals containing ions of iron and/or magnesium in their structure. They are dark in color and have a higher specific gravity than nonferromagnesian silicates.
Term
Electron
Definition
A negatively charged subatomic particle that has a negligible mass and is found outside an atom's nucleus.
Term
Element
Definition
A substance that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances by ordinary chemical or physical means.
Term
Energy-levels or shells
Definition
Spherically shaped, negatively charged zones that surround the nucleus of an atom.
Term
Fracture
Definition
Any break or rupture in rock along which no appreciable movement has taken place.
Term
Hardness
Definition
A mineral's resistance to scratching and abrasion.
Term
Ion
Definition
An atom or molecule that possesses an electrical charge.
Term
Ionic Bond
Definition
A chemical bond between two oppositely charged ions formed by the transfer of valence electrons from one atom to the other.
Term
Isotope
Definition
Varieties of the same element that have different mass numbers; their nuclei contain the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Term
Light Silicates
or
Nonferromagnesian silicates
Definition
Silicate minerals that lack iron and/or magnesium. They are generally lighter in color and have lower specific gravities than dark silicates.
Term
Luster
Definition
The appearance or quality of light reflected from the surface of a mineral.
Term
Mass Number
Definition
The sum of the number of neutrons and protons in the nucleus of an atom.
Term
Metallic Bond
Definition
A chemical bond present in all metals that may be characterized as an extreme type of electron sharing in which the electrons move freely from atom to atom.
Term
Mineral
Definition
A naturally occurring, inorganic crystalline material with a unique chemical structure.
Term
Mineralogy
Definition
The study of minerals.
Term
Mohs Scale
Definition
A series of 10 materials used as a standard in determining hardness.
Term
Neutron
Definition
A subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom. The neutron is electrically neutral, with a mass approximately equal to that of a proton.
Term
Octet rule
Definition
Atoms combine in order that each may have the electron arrangement of a noble gas; that is, the outer energy level contains eight neutrons.
Term
Polymorph
Definition
Two or more minerals having the same chemical composition but different crystalline structures. Exemplified by the diamond and graphite forms of carbon.
Term
Proton
Definition
A positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.
Term
Radioactive Decay
Definition
The spontaneous decay of certain unstable atomic nuclei.
Term
Rock
Definition
A consolidated mixture of minerals.
Term
Silicate Mineral
Definition
Any one of numerous minerals that have the silicon-oxygen tetrahedron as their basic structure.
Term
Silicon-oxygen Tetrahedron
Definition
A structure composed of four oxygen atoms surrounding a silicon atom that constitutes the basic building block of silicate minerals.
Term
Specific Gravity
Definition
The ratio of a substance's weight to the weight of an equal volume of water.
Term
Streak
Definition
The color of a mineral in powdered form.
Term
Valence Electrons
Definition
The electrons involved in the bonding process; the electrons occupying the highest principal energy level of an atom.
Term
Minerals
Definition
1. Specific Composition
2. Orderly atomic arrangement

(naturally occurring - compounds usually)
(organic - solid)
Term
Physical Properties
Definition
1. Luster
2. Streak
3. Hardness
4. Color
Term
Felsic
Definition
Non-ferromagnesian --> low Fe, low Mg (Light)
1. Quartz
2. Plagioclase Feldspar
3. Potassium Feldspar (K-Spar)
4. Muscovite Mica
Term
Mafic
Definition
Ferromagnesian --> Fe, high Mg (Dark)
1. Biotite Mica
2. Amphibole
3. Olivine
4. Pyroxine
Term
Effervescence
Definition
Stripping of carbon from bonds.
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