Understanding Rocks and Minerals: Lab Guide and Assignments

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.

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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 Referenc e 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 Refer ence 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 Name: _____________________________ Section Time: _____________________________ [40 pts, 4 pts each] Sample Number Color Grain Size Hardness Streak Color Other Comments Mineral or rock name 1 White Grainless 7 Transparent/White It has a large crystal, Quartz 2 Tan/ Earth Grey Coarse 4 Has large course sediments, Very dense, rough texture Quartzite 3 Grey/Black Very small Smooth 6 Black Very smooth, flat rock Basalt 4 Grey Very Fine and smooth 3 Light to dark brown Smooth very fine, not heavy for its density Slate 5 Tan Fine but with a few coarse sediment s 4 White streak Has layers in the rock, looks cemented together Reacted to acid with fizz Limestone 6 White/ and black Smooth, small grain size 3 White Difference in color, two different distinct colors, Reacted to acid Marble 7 Brownish/Red Smooth, no grains 7 Brown Smooth and fine Chert 8 White, with Grain size 6 White Very smooth ends Granite

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black and grey spots is coarse with few sediment s with coarse sediments in it 9 Grey Coarse but no large sediment s 6 White Feels light to the density, very rough Pumice 10 Earth colored, brown Very smooth 7 White Feels heavy, looks like it is made of sand. Sandstone

Laboratory Summary Questions 20 pts 1. What is the difference between a rock and a mineral? [2 pts] A rock is a mixture of minerals could be several minerals, organic material, older rocks, a mineral is naturally occurring and a homogenous solid arrangement of atoms, ions, molecules, not several minerals a. Can a rock be made of minerals? Why or why not? [1.5 pts] Yes rocks are made our of a mixture of materials, minerals or other rocks b. Can a mineral be made of rocks? Why or why not? [1.5 pts] No minerals are never rocks 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 above the surface of the earth, from molten lava. b. Metamorphic Rock that is formed under very immense heat and pressure, c. Sedimentary Formed from sediments that overtime compress together into a rock, they have been cemented together,

LAB 2: Campus Rock Hunt 40 pts, 8 pts each Name: _____________________________ Section Time: _______________________ 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)  Grain size (course, fine, or glassy)  Color

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 In situ (placed there by nature), or moved there by humans?  Extra notes and unique observations  Photo or sketch of the sample  Rock or mineral? Rock type?  Hypothesized name for rock/mineral Sample 2  The rock or mineral’s location on campus (e.g., building name or GPS coordinates)  Grain size (course, fine, or glassy)  Color  In situ (placed there by nature), or moved there by humans?  Extra notes and unique observations  Photo or sketch of the sample  Rock or mineral? Rock type?  Hypothesized name for rock/mineral Sample 3  The rock or mineral’s location on campus (e.g., building name or GPS coordinates)

 Grain size (course, fine, or glassy)  Color  In situ (placed there by nature), or moved there by humans?  Extra notes and unique observations  Photo or sketch of the sample  Rock or mineral? Rock type?  Hypothesized name for rock/mineral Sample 4  The rock or mineral’s location on campus (e.g., building name or GPS coordinates)  Grain size (course, fine, or glassy)  Color  In situ (placed there by nature), or moved there by humans?  Extra notes and unique observations  Photo or sketch of the sample  Rock or mineral? Rock type?  Hypothesized name for rock/mineral

Sample 5  The rock or mineral’s location on campus (e.g., building name or GPS coordinates)  Grain size (course, fine, or glassy)  Color  In situ (placed there by nature), or moved there by humans?  Extra notes and unique observations  Photo or sketch of the sample  Rock or mineral? Rock type?  Hypothesized name for rock/mineral

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Rocks and Minerals_Assignment_S23

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