Mineral Identification Lab



Mineral Identification LabIntroduction: In this lab activity you will become familiar with minerals and identifying their different properties. This lab will also introduce you to the deductive process where you will utilize the results of each property test to identify the name of the mineral from an established key. Materials:15 unidentified MineralsStreak plateNailMagnetPennyProcedure:Place your name, date, and class period top of this sheet.Read through the Pre-lab worksheet and answer the questions (page 2 & 3).Self-check your answers at one of the stations set up around the room.Get a mineral kit. Go through and test each mineral for:HardnessColorStreakCleavage/fractureHeftLusterBe sure to record all information in the data tableYOU WILL NOT KNOW THE MINERAL NAME TILL THE END OF THE LAB.As you’re testing your minerals, be sure to record your findings on your record sheetAfter you have tested all 15 minerals for all 6 properties, compare your test results for each mineral to the established mineral chart in the back. Use this chart to identify the mineral name.What did you learn after completing this activity? Write a conclusion paragraph below: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Mineral identification Lab: Pre-lab worksheetProperty Descriptions and Testing Procedures:Color: This is probably the most easily observed property of minerals. However, color often varies widely and is the least reliable property for identification.Streak: The color of the mineral when powdered. To test for streak, draw the mineral against an unglazed porcelain tile (streak plate). Streak is more useful for identification than color is.Hardness: A mineral’s hardness is it’s resistance to scratching. Mohs Scale of Hardness, this scale uses common everyday objects to test hardness of each mineral sample. Below is the resulting table.Moh’s scale of HardnessRatingObject used to test Hardness12345678-10Fingernail-2.5Penny-3.5Nail-4.5Glass-5.5Steel file-6.5Streak plate-7Diamond -10Cleavage or fracture: These two properties refer to the way in which a mineral breaks. Cleavage is an orderly breakage in well-defined planes, meaning the mineral has flat sides. Fracture is a random breakage. If a mineral breaks with rough, random surfaces, it is said to have fracture.Heft: Compare the relative “heft” of a mineral by holding it in your hand and comparing it to other minerals of about the same size. In general, metallic minerals are heavier than non-metallic minerals. For ease, minerals are classified as 1.) light, 2.) heavy, 3.) very heavy.Luster: Refers to the way that a mineral reflects light. The simplest distinction is between metallic luster (shiny and gold or silver color) and nonmetallic luster (does not look like a metal in color, although it may be shiny). Particular types of nonmetallic luster include pearly, vitreous (glassy), resinous (has the appearance of resin), silky, and earthy (dull).Other Tests: MAGNET TEST: if one of your rocks is attracted to a magnet, it may be magnetite. But check all the other properties too because other iron ores are also easily magnetized. Mineral identification Lab: Pre-lab worksheetRead through the lab handed out to you. Answer the following questions before you begin your lab.What are the 6 properties used to identify mineralsBriefly describe how you would test a mineral for each of these propertiesWhat tool is used to determine the streak of a mineral?Answer:___________What is the name of the scale used to determine hardness?Answer:___________What is the difference between cleavage and fracture?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What are the two major categories of luster?Answer:_______________Answer:________________List the various descriptions for Non-Metallic LusterMineral NameColorStreakHardnessCleavage orFractureHEFTLight,Medium,HeavyLusterMetallic/Non-MetallicMagnetic?Mineral NamePossible ColorsStreakHardnessCleavage(how many planes) orFractureHEFTLight,Medium,HeavyLusterMetallic/Non-MetallicOther PropertiesFluoriteGreen, yellow, purpleWhite4CleavesMediumVitreous (glassy)BiotiteBrownNone2.5-3Cleaves 1 planeLightVitreous, glassyVery flexibleCalciteClear to milky, orange, blueWhite3CleavageLightGlassy to earthyMineral takes a rhombic shapeReacts with acidFeldsparGray, green orangeColorless6Two planes of cleavage that meet at right anglesLightVitreous (glassy)GraphiteGreyGrey1.2CleavageLightMetallic toDullAlabasterGypsumPinkish-white, white, grey, reddish-brownWhite1.5-2 scratches with fingernailCleavesLightPearly-EarthyMineral NamePossible ColorsStreakHardnessCleavage(how many planes) orFractureHEFTLight,Medium,HeavyLusterMetallic/Non-MetallicOther PropertiesHaliteClear, whiteNone2.5Cleaves at right anglesLightTransparentTastes saltyHematiteBlack, grey, reddish-brownReddish-brown5.5-6.5FractureHeavyMetallic or rustyMagnetiteGrey-blackBlack6Non cleavage, but octahedral partingHeavyMetallicmagneticMuscoviteClear, white, light brownColorless, light brown2-2.5Cleaves in 1 planeLightGlassy to pearlyFlat flexible crystalsPyriteGolden-brassy, yellowGreenish black6-6.5FractureMediumMetallicQuartzClear, white, purple, rose, greyNone7No cleavage, but conchoidal fractureLightVitreous (glassy)Satin SparGypsumWhite, GreyWhite2FractureLightSilkySeleniteGypsumColorlessWhite2Cleaves into 1 planeLightTransparentTalcWhite, greenWhite1CleavesLightPearly-greasyPowdery-greasy feel ................
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