Module 5 Assignment Mineral Identification-1 (1) Isaias Espiritusanto

Module Assignment – 5: Mineral Identification (30 pts) Minerals are naturally occurring building blocks of rocks. They have a specific internal structure and characteristic chemical composition, crystal form, and physical properties. There are over 3,800 known mineral species that have been identified (Hazen et al., 2008); some of these mineral species are very common while others are very rare. New minerals are being identified by mineralogists (geologists who study different the chemistry and structure of minerals) each year. There are many physical features that can be used to help in identifying minerals. Some minerals sparkle, some are magnetic, and some are even radioactive! In this lab assignment we will learn about physical properties of 15 common and geologically important mineral species. You will use the online resources available to you and online lab manual to help identify the properties of the minerals in your laboratory kit. You will need the following to complete this assignment:  The laboratory resources in the Kendall Hunt Platform o Guide to Physical Properties of Minerals o Mineral ID Key ( The Mineral ID Key is ordered by hardness and also separated by metallic and non-metallic minerals) o Minerals Flow Chart  Your Physical Geology Rock and Mineral Kit o 15 minerals o Copper Nail, Iron nail, Glass plate to test hardness, White streak plate to collect streak color, a hand lens (10X), and HCI solution (hydrochloric acid) 0.4 M (~10% HCl and ~90%H 2 O). Use caution with the acid, it will stain fabric and can cause skin irritation (Store away from children and/or animals. Dispose after this course.)  How to Test a Mineral with HCl, the "Acid Test" to Identify Calcite - for Teachers and Students: https://youtu.be/AK_Z63UvQjE Source: Alexandra Price

 Identifying Minerals video: https://youtu.be/32NG9aeZ7_c Instructions and Observations Step 1: Retrieve the mineral samples in your Rock and Mineral Kit. The mineral samples are labeled 1 through 15. The best practice while making observations of your minerals is to set each of them on a white sheet of paper to see them clearly. Step 2: Use the Guide to Physical Properties and Mineral ID Key from the online course content to help determine the physical properties of the minerals in the lab kit. Use the flow chart below to help you work through the mineral specimens. First decide if the mineral is metallic or non-metallic, then observe the color and the luster of the mineral and continue to work through the flow chart for each mineral specimen. Step 3: Record your observations on the Mineral Identification Chart below. Step 4: Upload your assignment to receive credit for this exercise.

3 Module 5: Mineral Identification Chart ID Color Luster Streak Hardness Cleavage Notable properties Name Mineral 1 Black, Green, tones of brown Vitreous to dull White/ greenish 5.5 Two planes not at 90  Amphibole Group Hornblende 2 Black/Silver Metallic Grey/ Black 5.5 Two planes at 90 Writes on paper Augite 3 Green/ Orange Pearly None 6.5-7 Conchoidal fracture Green, pebble- like Garnet 4 Silver/Grey Metallic Grey 5.5-6.5 Three Planes at 90  Edges, Tall Magnetite 5 Black/Green Earthy White or None 5.5- 6.5 Poor cleavage Pyroxene Group Specular Hematite 6 Grey/Red Earthy Brown 5.5-6.5 none Sparkles upon close examination Hemamite 7 Green/White Vitreous White 4 Four Planes not at 90  Gem-like, Green Fluorite 8 Grey Earthy Grey 1.5-2 One Perfect Plane, Smooth Heavy/High Density Graphite

4 Module 5: Mineral Identification Chart ID Color Streak Luster Hardness Cleavage Notable properties Name Mineral 9 Clear/White White/ Clear Opalesce nt 3 Three Planes not at 90 Has slight reaction with HCI Calcite 10 Grey/Gold Black Specular 2.5 - 3 Three Planes at 90 Heavy/High Density/Cubic Crystal Structure Galena 11 Tan/White None Vitreous 6 Good plane & two poor planes Feldspar Group Orthoclase Feldspar 12 White White Pearly 2 None One good plane and two poor planes Gypsum 13 Yellow Yellow / White Earthy 1.5 - 2.5 One Plane Smells like rotten eggs Sulfur 14 Black Gold Metallic 2- 2.5 None Flakes into thin sheets Biotite 15 White White/ Clear Pearly 7 One Plane Edges, Crystal like Dolomite