Download -1- 1. Distinguish between atoms and ions. 2. Define mineral. 3. List

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87.201 - PRINCIPLES OF EARTH & ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS I
STUDY QUESTIONS IV
MINERALS AND ROCKS
1. Distinguish between atoms and ions.
2. Define mineral.
3. List in order of abundance (wt. %) the eight most abundant elements in the earth’s crust.
4. What are silicate minerals? What is the basic building block of a silicate mineral?
5. What is a rock. Define the three major types of rocks.
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6. Draw the rock cycle. Show the various short cuts. Why is this cycle considered to be a simplistic
representation?
7. What is weathering. What is the major role of mechanical weathering. List and describe three processes
of mechanical weathering and three processes of chemical weathering.
8. What is the major factor that controls the susceptibility of a mineral to chemical weathering?
9. What is “Uniformitarianism”?
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