PHSC 210 Quiz: Earth Systems: Minerals and Rocks | Full Questions and
Answers | 2026 Update | 100% Correct.
Question 1
What is the main source of heat that causes metamorphism in rocks?
Magma or burial depth
Wind and water
Ice
Erosion
Question 2
What significant historical event do sedimentary rocks NOT provide information
about?
The formation of the moon
A global Flood
The formation of coal
The extinction of dinosaurs
Question 3
What is chert primarily composed of?
Calcite
Silica
Dolomite
Gypsum
Question 4
What causes metamorphism in rocks?
Melting of the rock
Increase in heat and/or pressure
Exposure to sunlight
Erosion by wind
Question 5
Which of the following is NOT a factor that causes metamorphism?
Increase in temperature
Increase in pressure
Contact with chemically active fluids
Exposure to air
Question 6
Who developed the 1-10 scale used in identifying a mineral’s hardness?
Isaac Newton
Frederich Mohs
Albert Einstein
Marie Curie
Question 7
What is fool’s gold composed of?
copper carbonate
iron sulfide
lead sulfide
iron oxide
, Question 8
What is a common protolith for foliated metamorphic rocks?
Basalt
Sandstone
Shale
Limestone
Question 9
Which of the following is a non-silicate mineral?
quartz
feldspar
mica
galena
Question 10
What is the first step in the lithification process?
Cementation
Compaction
Erosion
Weathering
Question 11
Where do sedimentary rocks typically form?
Deep within the Earth’s mantle
At or near Earth’s surface
In the Earth’s core
In volcanic craters
Question 12
Which of the following describes a mineral’s property of cleavage?
The color of a mineral in powdered form
The manner in which a mineral breaks along a plane
The visible appearance of a mineral’s surface
The resistance of a mineral’s surface to being scratched
Question 13
What is the softest mineral on the Mohs hardness scale?
Gypsum
Calcite
Talc
Fluorite
Question 14
What property is used to distinguish calcite from dolomite?
Hardness
Cleavage
Reaction to acid
Color
Answers | 2026 Update | 100% Correct.
Question 1
What is the main source of heat that causes metamorphism in rocks?
Magma or burial depth
Wind and water
Ice
Erosion
Question 2
What significant historical event do sedimentary rocks NOT provide information
about?
The formation of the moon
A global Flood
The formation of coal
The extinction of dinosaurs
Question 3
What is chert primarily composed of?
Calcite
Silica
Dolomite
Gypsum
Question 4
What causes metamorphism in rocks?
Melting of the rock
Increase in heat and/or pressure
Exposure to sunlight
Erosion by wind
Question 5
Which of the following is NOT a factor that causes metamorphism?
Increase in temperature
Increase in pressure
Contact with chemically active fluids
Exposure to air
Question 6
Who developed the 1-10 scale used in identifying a mineral’s hardness?
Isaac Newton
Frederich Mohs
Albert Einstein
Marie Curie
Question 7
What is fool’s gold composed of?
copper carbonate
iron sulfide
lead sulfide
iron oxide
, Question 8
What is a common protolith for foliated metamorphic rocks?
Basalt
Sandstone
Shale
Limestone
Question 9
Which of the following is a non-silicate mineral?
quartz
feldspar
mica
galena
Question 10
What is the first step in the lithification process?
Cementation
Compaction
Erosion
Weathering
Question 11
Where do sedimentary rocks typically form?
Deep within the Earth’s mantle
At or near Earth’s surface
In the Earth’s core
In volcanic craters
Question 12
Which of the following describes a mineral’s property of cleavage?
The color of a mineral in powdered form
The manner in which a mineral breaks along a plane
The visible appearance of a mineral’s surface
The resistance of a mineral’s surface to being scratched
Question 13
What is the softest mineral on the Mohs hardness scale?
Gypsum
Calcite
Talc
Fluorite
Question 14
What property is used to distinguish calcite from dolomite?
Hardness
Cleavage
Reaction to acid
Color
