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Interesting Mineral Facts Trivia Quiz

Here is a fun and interesting quiz on the strange facts of minerals, compiled from data source: "Peterson's Field Guide for Rocks & Minerals," Pough (1988). Answer the questions, have fun.

A multiple-choice quiz by ig_petrologist. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
ig_petrologist

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
159,419

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
865

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The mineral phenakite is named after a Greek word that translates to what phrase in English? Hint

to create

to confuse

to understand

to deceive

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Question 2 of 10

2. What causes the red color in the mineral corundum? Hint

radiation

metal sulfides

nonmetal oxides

metal oxides

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Question 3 of 10

3. The metal cobalt is named from the German word "Kobalt" or "Kobold" meaning what in English? Hint

aliens or extraterrestrials

earth or land

fire or temperature

imps or gremlins

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Question 4 of 10

4. What mineral are bones and teeth composed of? Hint

aragonite

chlorite

apatite

calcite

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Question 5 of 10

5. About what percent of the mined world diamonds are suitable for gem use? Hint

40 - 50%

20 - 30%

under 10%

70 - 80%

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Question 6 of 10

6. What mineral has an index of refraction so close to water that when placed in water it becomes invisible? Hint

calcite

cryolite

sylvite

halite

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Question 7 of 10

7. All argentite specimens are actually what pseudomorph (alteration of original mineral)? Hint

andalusite

acanthite

azurite

pyrargyrite

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Question 8 of 10

8. What mineral is derived from an ancient name for brass? Hint

malachite

aurichalcite

hydrozincite

azurite

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Question 9 of 10

9. What mineral paved the way for the invention of fiber optics? Hint

colemanite

ulexite

howlite

bixbyite

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who or what was the mineral smithsonite named for? Hint

its locality or place it was discovered

its hexagonal crystal structure

original research on zinc ores

founder of the Smithsonian Institution

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The mineral phenakite is named after a Greek word that translates to what phrase in English?

Answer: to deceive

Phenakite is named from a Greek word for "to deceive" because it was long confused with quartz and other minerals that appear similar. A British specimen, pictured in an 1811 work, was described as white tourmaline for twenty years before it was recognized as a new mineral.

2. What causes the red color in the mineral corundum?

Answer: metal oxides

Pure corundum is clear in color. The gem colors of corundum are a result of minor metal oxide impurities; ruby is colored by chromium oxide.

3. The metal cobalt is named from the German word "Kobalt" or "Kobold" meaning what in English?

Answer: imps or gremlins

Kobalt or kobold is named from a myth that imps or gremlins lived underground and teased the miners.

4. What mineral are bones and teeth composed of?

Answer: apatite

Bone and teeth have essentially an apatite structure and composition. Apatite has a hardness of 5, compared to a diamond which has a hardness of 10.

5. About what percent of the mined world diamonds are suitable for gem use?

Answer: 20 - 30%

Only around 20 - 30% of the mined world's diamonds are suitable for the gem trade. The remaining ones are used for industrial purposes such as saw blades or abrasives.

6. What mineral has an index of refraction so close to water that when placed in water it becomes invisible?

Answer: cryolite

Cryolite has a low ability to bend light, being close to water in that aspect. When placed in water it appears invisible; however it will eventually dissolve since cryolite is soluble in water.

7. All argentite specimens are actually what pseudomorph (alteration of original mineral)?

Answer: acanthite

Argentite has a cubic structure at temperatures above 180 degrees Celsius. It had to form at all temperatures higher than this, thus all argentite specimens are pseudomorphs after the original mineral argentite referred to as acanthite (orthorhombic).

8. What mineral is derived from an ancient name for brass?

Answer: aurichalcite

Aurichalcite is derived from an ancient word meaning brass. It actually is so close to brass alloy, that it could be considered as a natural brass ore. It is a very rare mineral so it probably will never serve this purpose.

9. What mineral paved the way for the invention of fiber optics?

Answer: ulexite

Each fiber of ulexite transmits light and images, thus it paved the way for the invention of fiber optics by transmitting images along a bundle of threadlike crystals.

10. Who or what was the mineral smithsonite named for?

Answer: founder of the Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonite was named after James Smithson, an Englishman who donated funding for the establishment of the Smithsonian Institution.

Source: Author ig_petrologist

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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