Rocks and Minerals_Assignment_S23 (LAB).docx
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University of Arkansas, Fayetteville *
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1113
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Geology
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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Uploaded by ChefLemur3909
LAB 1: ROCKS AND MINERALS
100 points
Due at the beginning of lab next week.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this lab, you will be able to:
1.
Understand the difference between a rock and a mineral
2.
Identify the 3 different rock groups
3.
Evaluate physical characteristics unique to the three rock groups
INTRODUCTION
A mineral is a naturally occurring, homogenous, crystalline solid that has a definable
chemical composition. A mineral usually has the same composition and structure throughout.
Liquids and gases are not minerals. Geologists use the word “grain” to define any small, natural
solid particle. Some grains are crystals that grew into their present shape, but others are pieces
of larger crystals, fragments containing many tiny crystals, or even shards of glass. Crystal faces
are distinctive geometric shapes defined by smooth, flat, surfaces. Each face forms at a specific
angle relative to its neighbor. We organize minerals based on their color, streak, luster, hardness,
specific gravity, fracture, cleavage, and special properties.
Rocks are a collection of minerals that are held together in a firm, solid mass. Igneous
rocks form when molten rock (magma or lava) cools and solidifies. Sedimentary rocks originate
when particles are cemented together, or by precipitation of minerals from water. They often
accumulate in layers. Metamorphic rocks result when existing rocks are changed by heat,
pressure, or reactive fluids. Each of these types is part of the rock cycle. Through changes in
conditions, one rock type can become another rock type. The minerals in a rock may be so tiny
that you can only see them with a microscope, or they may be as big as your finger. Many rocks
are made of minerals containing silicon and oxygen, the most abundant elements in the Earth’s
crust.
Rocks are identified primarily by the minerals they contain and by their texture. The
following tables and charts will help you identify different rock groups and types of rocks within
each group.
https://web.ics.purdue.edu/~braile/edumod/pebble/pebbleAM.htm
Igneous rocks
Reference Tables for Physical Setting/EARTH SCIENCE (2011)
Property
Definition
How to evaluate
Grain Size
Mineral/crystal size
Glassy (non-crystalline), fine (cannot see grains), coarse
(large mineral grains)
Color
Reflected visible light
Light, intermediate, or dark
Vesicles
Voids from air bubbles
Open voids permeate rock
Dark Minerals
Estimate % of blackish crystals
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Metamorphic rocks
Reference Tables for Physical Setting/EARTH SCIENCE (2011)
Property
Definition
How to evaluate
Banding
Foliated rock layering
characteristic shape
Look for layering in the rock, usually different colors. Can
be linear (straight) or distorted (wavy)
Grain size
Dimensions of minerals/rock
building blocks
Fine to coarse (if grains exist)
Sedimentary rocks
Reference Tables for Physical Setting/EARTH SCIENCE (2011)
Property
Definition
How to evaluate
Clastic
Obvious pieces of rocks (clasts)
fused into a matrix
Observe clast size, mixture (many sizes), coarse,
medium (sand), fine (smooth)
Chemical origin
Formed in place by chemical
processes
Results in a uniform mineral throughout.
Crystalline texture can range from coarse (visible)
to fine.
Organic origin
Formed in place by biological
processes
Contains fossils (limestone) or black plant
material, such as coal or lignite.
LAB 1: IDENTIFY ROCKS AND MINERALS
[40 pts, 4 pts each]
Sample
Number
Color
Grain Size
Hardness
Streak Color
Other Comments
Mineral or rock name
1
white
Coarse
grained
Above 6.5
None
Quartz
2
dark
brown &
black
Fine
Above 6.5
Light brown
Basalt
3
black
fine
Above 6.5
Gray
Chert
4
light
brown/gra
y
fine
6.5 or
above
None
Marble
5
brown/ora
nge
fine
6.5 or
above
none
Limestone
6
white/
light
brown
coarse
Above 6.5
orange
Quartzite
7
red/brown
fine
Under 3.5
none
Sandstone
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8
white with
black
spots
coarse
Above 6.5
black
Granite
9
dark gray
fine
Under 2.5
none
Pumice
10
Black
fine
Above 6.5
black
Slate
Laboratory Summary Questions
20 pts
1.
What is the difference between a rock and a mineral? [2 pts]
A mineral is homogenous and the same throughout, while a rock is made up of a bunch of minerals, old
rocks, etc.
a.
Can a rock be made of minerals? Why or why not? [1.5 pts]
yes, because a rock is made up of a mixture of minerals.
b.
Can a mineral be made of rocks? Why or why not? [1.5 pts]
No, a mineral is the same throughout
2.
Describe two unique properties of each rock group and what each tells us about how the rock
formed [5 pts each, 15 total].
a.
Igneous
formed from cooled molten lava
Grain sized depends on the speed of which it cools
b.
Metamorphic
rock that has changed with heat and pressure
the original rock can be any kind of rock
c.
Sedimentary
formed from sediments cemented together
product of weather
LAB 2: Campus Rock Hunt
40 pts, 8 pts each
Name: Avery Hamby
Section Time: Tuesday 2:00 PM
Our class has found itself stranded on an unfamiliar island!!! Where are we? How did we get here? What
is this land, and how did it form? To survive and interpret information about our new surroundings, we
will attempt to categorize the wild and unknown rock species scattered throughout this land (UARK
campus but not Gearhart.) We will collect as much information as we can, and then take that
information back home (turned in to the lab instructor) after we are rescued.
Directions:
•
Working in groups of up to three (3), record information in a notebook, on paper, or in this
document about the rocks you find on your journey.
•
Your team will need to systematically identify five (5) rocks and/or minerals in the field.
•
The following information needs to be recorded:
1.
The rock or mineral’s location on campus (e.g., building name or GPS coordinates)
2.
Grain size (course, fine, or glassy)
3.
Color
4.
In situ (placed there by nature), or moved there by humans
5.
Extra notes and unique observations
6.
A photo or sketch of the rock
7.
Rock or mineral? If it is a rock, what type?
8.
Hypothesized name for each rock/mineral (what you think the rock/mineral is). A hypothesis is
not a guess, it is based on the research that you have performed and could be tested further.
•
Turn your results into the instructor by submitting the assignment on Blackboard.
Sample 1
●
The rock or mineral’s location on campus (e.g., building name or GPS coordinates)
Old Main
●
Grain size (course, fine, or glassy)
Fine
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●
Color
Black
●
In situ (placed there by nature), or moved there by humans?
Moved there by humans
●
Extra notes and unique observations
Very small
●
Photo or sketch of the sample
●
Rock or mineral? Rock type?
Rock, Igneous
●
Hypothesized name for rock/mineral
Basalt
Sample 2
●
The rock or mineral’s location on campus (e.g., building name or GPS coordinates)
Adohi
●
Grain size (course, fine, or glassy)
Fine
●
Color
Light Gray
●
In situ (placed there by nature), or moved there by humans?
Placed there by nature
●
Extra notes and unique observations
The size of my palm
●
Photo or sketch of the sample
●
Rock or mineral? Rock type?
Rock, Sedimentary
●
Hypothesized name for rock/mineral
Mudstone
Sample 3
●
The rock or mineral’s location on campus (e.g., building name or GPS coordinates)
Bud Walton
●
Grain size (course, fine, or glassy)
Course
●
Color
Brown
●
In situ (placed there by nature), or moved there by humans?
Moved there by humans
●
Extra notes and unique observations
More flat than round
●
Photo or sketch of the sample
●
Rock or mineral? Rock type?
Rock, Sedimentary
●
Hypothesized name for rock/mineral
Sandstone?
Sample 4
●
The rock or mineral’s location on campus (e.g., building name or GPS coordinates)
Old Main
●
Grain size (course, fine, or glassy)
Fine
●
Color
Gray, White, Light Brown
●
In situ (placed there by nature), or moved there by humans?
Placed there by nature
●
Extra notes and unique observations
Many different colors, Pointy shape
●
Photo or sketch of the sample
●
Rock or mineral? Rock type?
Rock, Metamorphic
●
Hypothesized name for rock/mineral
Quartzite
Sample
●
The rock or mineral’s location on campus (e.g., building name or GPS coordinates)
Union
●
Grain size (course, fine, or glassy)
Fine
●
Color
Dark Gray
●
In situ (placed there by nature), or moved there by humans?
Moved there by humans
●
Extra notes and unique observations
Super Small, Flat, Fragile
●
Photo or sketch of the sample
●
Rock or mineral? Rock type?
Rock, Sedimentary
●
Hypothesized name for rock/mineral
Shale
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