Corrected Minerals Lab Workbook (1)

PRE-LAB QUESTIONS 1. Which of the following terms are useful for describing the luster of nonmetallic minerals? (Select all that apply.) a. Vitreous b. Translucent c. Earthy d. Shiny e. Silky 2. True or False? A mineral with a lower Mohs Hardness number will scratch a mineral with a higher Mohs Hardness number. False 3. ___ refers to the way the surface of a mineral reflects light. Luster 4. Describe why it is not a good idea to use only color and clarity to identify a mineral. Minerals can come in different colors or change over time. ©2016, eScience Labs Minerals Minerals Minerals

EXERCISE 1 DATA SHEET Table 3. Specific Gravity Mineral Letter Dry Mass (g) Total Volume (mL) Displaced Volume (mL) Specific Gravity A 34.3 100 112 12 B 34.2 100 108 8 D 29.0 100 110 10 E 5.3 100 102 2 F 34.0 100 112 12 G 17.8 100 106.2 6.2 H 3.8 100 100.8 .8 I 28.6 100 110 10 ©2016, eScience Labs Minerals Minerals Minerals

EXERCISE 2 DATA SHEET Table 5. Mineral Identification Mineral Sample Color/ Clarity Luster Streak Hardness Cleavage Other Distinctive Properties Mineral Name A White, milky Vitreous White 7 None Conchoidal fracture, non- magnetic Quartz B Pale-brass yellow, opaque Metallic Greenish- black 6 Indistinct Uneven fracture, non- magnetic Pyrite (Fool’s Gold) D White Vitreous White 3 Perfect Conchoidal fracture, non- magnetic Calcite E Silvery black, opaque Pearly White 2.5 Perfect Flaky, non- magnetic Muscovite F Salmon- pink, opaque Vitreous White 6.5 Perfect Uneven fractures Akali Feldspar G Clear Vitreous White 2 Perfect Flaky Selenite (Gypsum) H Black, opaque Vitreous White 2.5 Perfect Brittle, flaky Biotite I Green, white, dark blue, opaque Vitreous White 4 Perfect Brittle, non- magnetic Fluorite EXERCISE 2 POST-LAB QUESTIONS 1. What properties of Mineral B could be used to distinguish it from gold? Write the name of Mineral B, its common nickname (see Figure 3) and fill in the data about each of the properties. Compare the differences between the two minerals and summarize your findings in a short paragraph. Is the nickname accurate? Why or why not? ©2016, eScience Labs Minerals Minerals Minerals

Properties of Mineral B:  Name: Pyrite  Nickname: Fool’s Gold  Color/Clarity: Pale-brass yellow, opaque  Luster: Metallic  Streak: Greenish-black  Hardness: 6  Cleavage: Indistinct  Specific Gravity: 8 The color, luster and cleavage are similar. The streak color is different, the hardness level is different, and the specific gravity is lower on the Pyrite. 2. Marble is a rock that is composed primarily of the carbonate minerals calcite (CaCO 3 ) and dolomite (Ca,Mg(CO 3 ) 2 ). In this exercise, you saw the way carbonate minerals react to a drop of acetic acid. Based on this observation, why do you think people who care for monuments and sculptures made of marble are concerned about acid rain? Because these stones are composed primarily of calcium carbonate, a mineral that dissolves when it comes in contact with acid. ©2016, eScience Labs Minerals Minerals Minerals