G101/201 Chapter 3 Learning Objectives‑ Matter and Minerals

1. Understand the organization of an atom with respect to protons, neutrons, and electrons. Define each of the following:

a. element d. atomic number g. compound

b. ion e. atomic mass unit (AMU) h. atom

c. atomic mass (weight) f. isotope i. molecule

2. Be able to discuss how protons, neutrons and electrons are different from each other.

3. Be able to diagram an atom with regards to where the different particles would be found

4. Be able to calculate the atomic mass, atomic number and if an atom would become a cation or anion.

5. What are chemical formulas and why are they important? Be able to interpret a chemical formula.

6. State the "octet rule" and give an example of an ionic bond and a covalent bond. Describe how they differ from one another.

7. How are metallic and van der Waals bonds different from each other (201 students)

8. List in order the five most abundant elements that make up the continental crust.

9. Describe the properties of a mineral and differentiate between a rock and a mineral.

10. Understand what is meant by a mineral having a fixed composition vs. a solid solution. Give an example of each.

11. What is a polymorph? Be able to give an example.

12. What is the silica tetrahedron, what elements make it up and what is its net charge?

13. Describe the silicate tetrahedron (silicon‑oxygen tetrahedron) in terms of covalent and ionic bonding. Where does the covalent bond occur and where does the ionic bond occur?

14. Describe the two primary types of chemical bonds found in the silicate minerals and give their relative strength (weak or strong bonds).

15. What causes cleavage in a mineral? What causes fracture in a mineral?

16. Recognize the different mineral structures (Q15 below) and show the location of covalent and ionic bonds in each. (201 students only)

17. Be able to describe how each of the following mineral groups differ in structure:

a. olivines (separate tetrahedra) d. sheet silicates (mica, talc) ) (sheets)

b. pyroxenes (single chains) e. framework silicates (quartz, feldspars)

c. amphiboles (double chains)

18. List seven main mineral groups (i.e., sulfides, sulfites etc). Which group is the most abundant?

19. Define "chalcedony" and give examples of microcrystalline quartz. How do they differ from crystalline quartz? Generally, how are they different from one another? (201 students)

20. Why do ions substitute for each other in a crystal lattice?