ESS 101 TRAINING STUDY SHEET 2026
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉Is quartz the first or last mineral to crystallize in granite?. Answer:
Quartz has the lowest m.t. --> last to crystallize
◉What determines a mineral's cleavage planes?. Answer: Chemical
bond strength and the fixed arrangement of atoms
◉Important chem facts. Answer: - the # of protons in the nucleus
defines the chemical properties of the element
- the # of protons + # of neutrons = mass #
- electrons are arranged around the nucleus of the atom in orbits--
each energy level can hold a specific # of electrons::
1st-- 2 e
2st-- 8 e
3rd-- 8 e
, ◉What is significant about the noble (inert) gases?. Answer: They
don't tend to bond because they have no open valencies and are
balanced
◉What are ionic bonds?. Answer: Form as a result of a physical
transfer of electrons b/w donor cation (+ charge) and receiver anion
(- charge)
◉What are covalent bonds?. Answer: Form when electrons are
shared b/w two atoms of a molecule. Very strong
◉How can two minerals have the same composition but be
different?. Answer: Different atomic arrangements.
e.g. graphite and diamond
◉Best way to diagnose metallic minerals?. Answer: Streak test
◉Hematite streak color?. Answer: Reddish-Brown
◉Dominant elements comprising earth rocks?. Answer: Silicon and
oxygen
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉Is quartz the first or last mineral to crystallize in granite?. Answer:
Quartz has the lowest m.t. --> last to crystallize
◉What determines a mineral's cleavage planes?. Answer: Chemical
bond strength and the fixed arrangement of atoms
◉Important chem facts. Answer: - the # of protons in the nucleus
defines the chemical properties of the element
- the # of protons + # of neutrons = mass #
- electrons are arranged around the nucleus of the atom in orbits--
each energy level can hold a specific # of electrons::
1st-- 2 e
2st-- 8 e
3rd-- 8 e
, ◉What is significant about the noble (inert) gases?. Answer: They
don't tend to bond because they have no open valencies and are
balanced
◉What are ionic bonds?. Answer: Form as a result of a physical
transfer of electrons b/w donor cation (+ charge) and receiver anion
(- charge)
◉What are covalent bonds?. Answer: Form when electrons are
shared b/w two atoms of a molecule. Very strong
◉How can two minerals have the same composition but be
different?. Answer: Different atomic arrangements.
e.g. graphite and diamond
◉Best way to diagnose metallic minerals?. Answer: Streak test
◉Hematite streak color?. Answer: Reddish-Brown
◉Dominant elements comprising earth rocks?. Answer: Silicon and
oxygen
