Download Lab #___Mineral Identification

Lab #___Mineral Identification
Introduction: Of more than 2,200 minerals, only about a dozen, called “common
rock forming minerals,” make up most of the earth’s crust. They are identified in
the field with a few simple physical test and observations.
This is possible
because the physical properties are constant in a mineral no matter how old it is
or where it was formed. In addition to physical tests, there are also some useful
diagnostic chemical tests which can be used in mineral identifications.
Problem: How can mineral samples be identified?
Hypothesis:____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Vocabulary:
Mineral - Inorganic - Luster - Streak - Hardness - Cleavage - Fracture Procedure:
1. Obtain a mineral tray and identification kit from your teacher.
2. Check that the twelve mineral samples are in the correct order by matching
them to the model tray provided by your teacher.
3. Determine the properties for each of the minerals are record your
observations on the Report Sheets. Use the previous pages and the ESRT
for reference concerning properties.
4. Have your teacher check your Report Sheet after completing the tests,
BEFORE YOU CONTINUE WITH YOUR LAB WRITE UP.
5. Find the name for each of the mineral samples using your Report Sheet and
the reference chart provided by your teacher.
#
Hardness
Cleavage
(Harder
or Not as
Hard as
Glass)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Color
Streak
Luster
Or
(Colored
(Metallic or
Fracture
or No
Non
Color)
Metallic)
Name of Mineral
Questions:
1. How is a mineral different than a rock?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
2. What is the difference between cleavage and fracture?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
3. What causes cleavage?
_________________________________________________________
4. Why is color alone not a reliable means of identifying a mineral?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
5. Why is streak a more reliable property than color in mineral identification?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
6. Hardness is the relative resistance of a mineral to being scratched. What
determines a mineral’s hardness?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
7. What are the minerals that are usually identified by using the acid test?
___________________ and _______________________
8. What are some uses of:
Olivine:_______________________________________________
Graphite:______________________________________________
Mica:_________________________________________________