QUESTION: Which one of the following is not a characteristic of minerals?
A They are created by natural processes.
B They have a definite chemical composition
C They are inexhaustible
D Their distribution is uneven.
ANSWER: They are inexhaustible
| Characteristics | Description |
| Creation through natural process | Minerals are formed through natural geological processes over long periods of time. |
| Definite chemical composition | Each mineral has a specific chemical formula, defining its composition in terms of elements. |
| Crystal structure | Minerals have an ordered atomic arrangement geometric pattern known as a crystal lattice. |
| Exhaustible resource | Minerals are finite resources so these can be depleted over time through extraction and use. |
| Origin of minerals | Minerals are formed from inorganic materials. |
| Uneven Distribution | Minerals are not uniformly distributed around the world; their presence varies from location to location. |
| State of minerals | Minerals are typically solid substances at room temperature and pressure. |
| Specific Physical Properties | Minerals have unique physical properties like hardness, color, cleavage and luster. |
| Occurrence | Minerals are found in nature and have not been artificially created by humans. |
| Economic importance | Many minerals have commercial value due to their uses in industries like manufacturing, technology and construction. |
| Diversity | There are thousands of different mineral species, each with its own set of properties and characteristics. |
| Occurrence of Minerals | · Igneous Rocks · Sedimentary Rocks · Metamorphic Rocks · Hydrothermal Deposits · Veins and Lodes · Ore Bodies · Evaporite deposits · Mineral Veins · Marine Sediments |
| Examples of minerals
| · Quartz · Feldspar · Mica · Calcite · Dolomite · Pyrite · Galena · Chalcopyrite · Gypsum · Barite · Gold · Silver · Diamond · Graphite etc. |
| Geological significance of minerals | Minerals play a crucial role in geological processes such as rock formation and Earth’s overall structure. |