Engineering Geology Multiple Choice Questions & Answers on “Physical Properties – 04”.
1. The property of a mineral by virtue of which it can be cut with a knife is __________
a) Parting
b) Sectile
c) Malleable
d) Ductile
Answer: b
Clarification: The behaviour of a mineral towards the forces that tend to break, bend, cut or crush is described by the term tenacity. Thus, when a mineral can be cut with a knife, it is described as sectile.
2. Mica is __________
a) Flexible
b) Rigid
c) Flexible and elastic
d) Elastic
Answer: c
Clarification: Some minerals are not only flexible but elastic, that is, they regain their shape when the force applied on them is removed. Micas are the best example. Hence they are both flexible and elastic.
3. When the mineral occurs in flattened or square form, it is called __________
a) Tabular
b) Elongated
c) Batroidal
d) Box
Answer: a
Clarification: The mineral occurs in the form of a flattened, square, rectangular or rhombohedral shape if it is said to be tabular. In other words, flattening is conspicuous compared to lengthwise elongation.
4. Example for elongated structure is __________
a) Calcite
b) Beryl
c) Orthoclase
d) Barite
Answer: b
Clarification: When the mineral is in the form of a thin or thick elongated, column-like crystals, it is said to be elongated. For example, Beryl.
5. Kyanite shows which form?
a) Columnar
b) Elongated
c) Bladed
d) Tabular
Answer: c
Clarification: The mineral appears as if composed of thin, flat, blade-like overlapping or juxtaposed parts, if it said to be bladed. Example: Kyanite.
6. Structure or form which depicts leaf-like sheets is __________
a) Foliated
b) Lamellar
c) Radiating
d) Granular
Answer: b
Clarification: The mineral is made up of relatively thick, flexible, leaf-like sheets, if it is said to be lamellar. Example: Vermiculite.
7. Muscovite mica shows which structure?
a) Lamellar
b) Foliated
c) Fibrous
d) Radiating
Answer: b
Clarification: The foliated structure is similar to lamellar in broader sense but in this case, the individual sheets are paper thin, even thinner and can be easily separated. Example: Muscovite mica.
8. Identify the type of structure shown below.
a) Lamellar
b) Foliated
c) Radiating
d) Granular
Answer: c
Clarification: The mineral is made up of needle like or fibrous crystals which appear originating from a common point thereby giving a radiating appearance, if it is said to be radiating. Example: Iron pyrites.
9. Chromite shows which type of structure?
a) Granular
b) Globular
c) Reniform
d) Mammillary
Answer: a
Clarification: The mineral occurs in the form of densely packed mass of small garin-like crystals, in the case of globular structure. Example: Chromite.
10. Which form resembles a human kidney?
a) Globular
b) Reniform
c) Granular
d) Mammillary
Answer: b
Clarification: Reniform is similar to globular but the shape of the bulbs or projections resembles to human kidneys. Example: Hematite.
11. Malachite shows which type of structure?
a) Reniform
b) Globular
c) Mammillary
d) Granular
Answer: c
Clarification: Mammillary is similar to globular but the projections are conspicuous in size, overlapping in arrangement and rounded in shape, best example is malachite.
12. The SI unit of specific gravity is __________
a) Ohm
b) g/cc
c) N/cc
d) No unit
Answer: d
Clarification: Specific gravity is the ratio between the density of a mineral and that of water at 4° Celsius. Since it is a ratio, it has no units.