What This Document Is
This document contains a set of practice questions designed to assess your understanding of foundational concepts in Geology 200 at West Virginia University. Specifically, it focuses on the properties and classification of minerals – a core component of the course. The questions are formatted as you might encounter them on an actual exam, testing both recall and application of key geological principles. It represents a past exam's question set from 2009.
Why This Document Matters
This resource is invaluable for students preparing for their first test in Geology 200. It’s particularly helpful for identifying areas where your knowledge might need strengthening. Working through these questions will help you solidify your grasp of mineralogy, including chemical bonding, identification techniques, and classification schemes. It’s best used *after* completing the assigned readings from Chapter 3 and reviewing relevant lecture notes, as a self-assessment tool to gauge your readiness. Students who proactively engage with this material often perform better on formal assessments.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This document presents questions only; it does not include detailed explanations or worked solutions. It’s designed to *test* your knowledge, not to teach it. Furthermore, while representative of the course material, this is a specific set of questions from a prior year and shouldn’t be considered a comprehensive or exhaustive list of all possible exam topics. It also doesn’t cover all the nuances discussed in current lectures or updated course materials.
What This Document Provides
* A variety of question formats, including multiple choice and matching exercises.
* Coverage of key mineral properties such as cleavage, fracture, hardness, and luster.
* Questions relating to mineral composition, including the concept of ionic substitution.
* Focus on the silicate and non-silicate mineral groups and their characteristics.
* Questions pertaining to crystal systems and their defining features.
* Practice identifying minerals based on their chemical formulas and classifications.
* Questions relating to the fundamental building blocks of matter (atoms, ions, isotopes).
