Question

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Describe the silica tetrahedron.
The structure of the mineral olivine is described as isolated tetrahedral. What does this mean?
Why is color an unreliable property for identifying minerals?
What’s the main difference between metallic and nonmetallic luster in minerals?
How are cleavage and fracture of minerals different?

Answer 1

Explanation:The silica tetrahedron is a molecule containing four oxygen atoms and one silicon atom. It resembles a triangular pyramid, with the silicon atom located in the middle and one oxygen atom located at each of the four corners.

The structure of olivine is described as isolated tetrahedral because each tetrahedron is bonded to either a magnesium ion or an iron ion.

Although some minerals always appear the same color, many vary in color due to trace elements within the mineral. These trace elements can alter the mineral’s coloring.

Minerals with a metallic luster do not allow light to pass through. Minerals with a nonmetallic luster do allow light to pass through.

In minerals, cleavage refers to breaks that occur along a specific plane. Fractures refer to irregular breaks.

Answer 2

1.The silica tetrahedron is a molecule containing four oxygen atoms and one silicon atom. It resembles a triangular pyramid, with the silicon atom located in the middle and one oxygen atom located at each of the four corners.

2.The structure of olivine is described as isolated tetrahedral because each tetrahedron is bonded to either a magnesium ion or an iron ion.

3.Although some minerals always appear the same color, many vary in color due to trace elements within the mineral. These trace elements can alter the mineral’s coloring.

4.Minerals with a metallic luster do not allow light to pass through. Minerals with a nonmetallic luster do allow light to pass through.

5.In minerals, cleavage refers to breaks that occur along a specific plane. Fractures refer to irregular breaks.