Identifying+Minerals+Lab
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School
Liberty University *
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Course
9994
Subject
Geology
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
Pages
4
Uploaded by ElderQuailPerson913
Rev. 11.29.23
Name
Date
Identifying Minerals Lab
Objective:
To identify different minerals based on their physical properties.
Materials needed during the lab:
•
Mineral Identification Chart
•
Mohs Hardness Scale
Procedure:
1. Read through the entire procedure before beginning the lab.
2. Complete the
Purpose
and
Hypothesis
(always an if/then statement)
sections.
3. Complete
Part I
of this lab, working through the lab that is in the lesson.
Make sure to have your
worksheet open so that you can record the results of each rock test.
4. Once you have identified all of the properties, click on the button
to “Identify the Mineral.”
Using the
properties you have identified, compare with the information provided on the Mineral Identification Chart
and Mohs Hardness scale to find the
best
match and fill in the Mineral Name column of the
Data
table.
5. For
Part II,
you will also be given information about the mineral in the picture, and using
only
your
Mineral Identification Chart and Mohs Hardness Scale, identify the mineral in question.
6. Complete the
Observation/Analysis, Conclusion,
and
Application
sections before submitting the
completed lab exercise.
Purpose:
Refer to the objective of this lab to write a 1-2 sentence purpose statement for this lab. What do you
want the outcome to be? What question(s) are you trying to answer?
(5 pts)
Hypothesis:
If you are able to correctly identify the physical properties of the minerals, what will be the
result? Remember to always write it as an if/then statement.
(5 pts)
Rev. 11.29.23
Part I:
Complete the data chart below based on the physical properties you are able to identify from the mineral
identification chart, Mohs Hardness scale, and the interactive website.
(0.5 pts per blank / Mineral Name 1 pt
each))
(Hint: Any luster other than “metallic” will fall under the “
nonmetallic
” sections of the Mineral Identification
Chart”)
Rock
#
Mineral
Color
Streak
Color
Luster
Cleavage
(0-3)
Fracture
Crystal
System
Hardness
Mineral Name
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Rev. 11.29.23
Part II:
Who Am I?
Directions:
For this section of the lab, you will be given an image of a mineral and a few of its properties. Using
the information provided along with the mineral identification chart and Mohs hardness scale, you will need
to determine the name of the mineral.
(5 pts each
–
total of 12 pts)
Image
Mineral Properties
Who Am I?
(Mineral Name)
Image by Hannes Grobe
•
I have a white streak.
•
I can be scratched by a
knife, but I’m harder
than a penny.
•
I fracture when broken
along four planes.
Image by Aomai
•
I have a vitreous luster.
•
My streak is colorless.
•
I’m as hard as gypsum.
•
My mineral name
sounds similar to my
mineral color
Image by W. Oelen
•
My streak is so dark it
sometimes looks black.
•
I have a greasy, metallic
luster.
•
I’m
not as hard as a
pocket knife and a steel
nail.
•
I’m often used in writing
utensils.
Image by Daniel George
•
Talc is one mineral that is
softer than me (and there
aren’t many!).
•
When broken, I don’t
break along any flat
surfaces.
•
My streak is the same as
my typical mineral color
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Rev. 11.29.23
Observation and Analysis:
In this lab, you looked at a number of different physical properties for each
mineral in order to identify the sample on display. Why was it necessary to consider more than just one or two
physical properties in order to identify each mineral? What properties were most beneficial to you in
identifying the minerals whose names were not provided? Why?
Write 3-5 sentences answering these
questions
.
(10 pts)
Conclusions: Write 3-5 sentences
with your conclusions to this lab exercise. In your response, consider the
following questions: What did you learn from this lab exercise? Was your hypothesis correct? What are some
ways this experiment could be improved? What other properties of these minerals would have been helpful
information for you to have in naming some of these minerals?
(10 pts)
Application:
Take a moment to praise the Lord for creating all of the beautiful and unique minerals you looked
at today (and many more!). Thank Him for giving humans the ability to use these resources to create things we
use every day, like jewelry, salt, artwork, home furnishings, etc
.
Write 1-2 sentences
about why you are
thankful for one of the minerals you looked at today.
(9.5 pts)