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Base your answers to questions 1 on the geologic cross section and graph below, and on your knowledge of Earth science. The cross section represents the intrusive igneous rock of the Palisades sill and surrounding bedrock located on the west side of the Hudson River across from New York City. The graph indicates changes in the percentages of the major minerals found in the sill.
Which two minerals, not shown on the Graph of Changes in Mineral Composition Within the Palisades Sill, are also likely to be found in some other samples of diabase?*
The element silicon (Si) is used in the production of cell phones. Which mineral could be a possible source of this silicon?*
What is the approximate density of a mineral with a mass of 262.2 grams that displaces 46 cubic centimeters of water?*
Which two properties are most useful in distinguishing between galena and halite?*
The most abundant metallic element by mass in Earth’s crust makes up 8.23% of the crust. Which group of minerals all normally contain this metallic element in their compositions?*
The diagram below represents the mass and volume of a mineral sample being measured. These measurements were used to determine the density of the mineral sample.
What is the density of this mineral sample?*
The minerals talc, muscovite mica, quartz, and olivine are similar because they*
Which rock is composed of a mineral that can be used for the production of cement?*
Base your answers to questions 9 on the passage below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
Island Arcs
Island arcs are long, curved chains of oceanic islands associated with seismic activity and mountain-building processes at certain plate boundaries. They occur where oceanic tectonic plates collide. Along one side of these island arcs, there is usually a long, narrow deep-sea trench.
At island arcs, the denser plate is subducted and is forced into the partially molten mantle under the less dense plate. The islands are composed of the extrusive igneous rocks basalt and andesite. The basalt originates most likely from the plastic mantle. The andesite originates most likely from the melting of parts of the descending plate and sediments that had accumulated on its surface.
Which list identifies minerals present in andesite from the greatest percentage by volume to the least percentage by volume?*
Base your answers to questions 10 on the map and table below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The map shows the area where the Battenkill River flows into the Hudson River north of Albany, New York. Point A indicates a location within the Battenkill River. The table shows the densities of four common minerals found in Hudson River sediments.
Samples of minerals listed in the mineral density table with the same shape and size were removed from the Hudson River and placed in a jar of water. After the jar was shaken, the sediments were allowed to settle. In image below, write the mineral name from the table next to the layer in the diagram where each mineral is most likely found. [1]
*
Base your answers to questions 11 on the diagram in image provided and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents the apparent paths of the Sun observed in solar time (time based on the Sun’s position in the sky) at Albany, New York, on June 21 and December 21. A portion of the Sun’s path on June 21 is shaded. A protractor has been included in the diagram.
The shaded portion on the June 21 path represents 45 degrees of the Sun’s apparent motion. Determine the number of hours that this shaded portion represents. [1]
______________ h*
Base your answers to questions 12 on the passage below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
Carrara Marble
Carrara marble is named for the town of Carrara on the west coast of Italy. This dazzling white marble has been mined since the time of the ancient Romans and remains the major industry of the area today. The marble has many commercial uses, such as tombstones, countertops, tiles, and building stones. Its chemical purity, uniform color, and hardness make this marble an ideal material for artists who carve statues from rock. Major museums around the world have statues carved from Carrara marble.
The formation of Carrara marble began 200 million years ago when a great thickness of tiny shells was deposited at the bottom of a warm, shallow sea. Over time, burial and compaction of these sediments formed sedimentary rock primarily composed of pure calcite. Approximately 27 million years ago, tectonic forces caused this area of the seafloor bedrock to be deformed and metamorphosed, forming the Carrara marble. Uplift and erosion later exposed huge formations of this famous marble.
In terms of mineral properties, explain why a statue is easier to carve from pure white marble rather than from pure white quartzite. [1]*
Base your answers to questions 13 on the information below.
A student on a field trip in New York State collected a sample of metamorphic bedrock containing bands of coarse-grained crystals of plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene, quartz, and mica.
List two of the chemical elements found in plagioclase feldspar. [1]
(1)
(2)*
Base your answers to questions 14 on the geologic cross section shown below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
Identify one characteristic that could be used to determine if the intrusive igneous rock has a mafic composition or a felsic composition. [1]*
Base your answers to questions 15 on the generalized cross section of the Grand Canyon represented below and on your knowledge of Earth science. Some rock layers have been labeled. The rock layers have not been overturned.
Describe how the calcite that composes the Redwall limestone can be distinguished from the quartz that composes the Tapeats sandstone. [1]*
