Question

The most abundant metallic element by mass in Earth's crust makes up 8.23% of the crust. Which group of minerals normally contains this metallic element in their compositions?

a) Garnet, calcite, pyrite, and galena
b) Biotite mica, muscovite mica, fluorite, and halite
c) Talc, quartz, graphite, and olivine
d) Plagioclase feldspar, amphibole, pyroxene, and potassium feldspar

Answer 1

The most abundant metallic element by mass in Earth's crust is aluminum, present in silicate minerals such as Plagioclase feldspar, amphibole, pyroxene, and potassium feldspar. These minerals frequently contain aluminum and are common in the Earth's crust.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most abundant metallic element by mass in Earth's crust is aluminum, making up 8.23% of the crust. The group of minerals that normally contains this metallic element in their compositions is silicates. Specifically, option (d) Plagioclase feldspar, amphibole, pyroxene, and potassium feldspar are all silicate minerals that contain aluminum.


These are common minerals of igneous and metamorphic rocks, and aluminum is a major component in their structures. Given that the Earth's crust is predominantly composed of silicate minerals, and that aluminum occurs abundantly in many types of clay and bauxite, a silicate mineral group containing aluminum is the correct answer.