ELL ES.4a Mineral Identification Review

ES.4a Review

Mineral Definition and Identification by Physical & Chemical Properties.

Minerals Definition

Minerals are substances that have all of these 5 properties:

1. Are Solid (Keep their shape; are not liquid or gas) 

2. Are Natural (Found in nature; not made by people)

3. Are Inorganic (Not from living things; not plant or animal)

4. Have definite (specific and unchanging) compositions

5. Are Crystals (Have atoms making repeating geometric shapes)

Minerals are solid, natural, inorganic crystals with definite chemical compositions.

Multiple Select

Select the 2 minerals

• Wood

• Salt

• Diamonds

• Bones

Multiple Select

Select the 2 minerals

• Pyrite

• Clouds

• Quartz

• Automobiles

This describes whether the mineral's surface reflects light (shines) like a metal or non-metal.

2. Luster

This is the main color that the mineral appears (looks).

Most minerals cannot be identified by only using this property.

1. Apparent Color

Identifying Mineral Types by Physical & Chemical Properties

You can identify minerals using physical and chemical properties such as apparent color and luster.

Match

​ Match the mineral to its apparent color and luster description.

Colorless & Non-metallic

Yellow & Metallic

Gray & Metallic

Purple & Non-metallic

Yellow & Non-metallic

• Colorless & Non-metallic

• Yellow & Metallic

• Gray & Metallic

• Purple & Non-metallic

• Yellow & Non-metallic

When a mineral breaks along non-flat surfaces in a rough, curved, uneven, or jagged manner.

4. Fracture

When a mineral splits or breaks along flat surfaces, that is called cleavage.

3. Cleavage

Identifying Mineral Types by Physical & Chemical Properties - Types of Breakage

You can identify minerals using physical and chemical properties such as types of breakage.

Drag and Drop

When a mineral splits along flat surfaces, it is called ​

Placeholder

. When a mineral breaks along non-flat surfaces, it is called ​

Placeholder

.​

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

cleavage

fracture

hardness

streak

This is a number between 1 and 10 that states how difficult it is to scratch a mineral using other minerals or tools (like a fingernail, penny, or glass).

6. Hardness

This is the color of the powder mark left when a mineral is rubbed on a ceramic tile.

It is considered the "true color" of the mineral.

5. Streak Color

Identifying Mineral Types by Physical & Chemical Properties

You can identify minerals using physical and chemical properties such as streak color and hardness.

Multiple Choice

Look at the mineral in the image. Select the description that best describes the mineral.

• The mineral is dark gray with a red-brown streak.

• The mineral is dark gray with a black-gray streak.

• The mineral is non-metallic with a white streak.

• The mineral is black and is too hard to leave a streak.

Multiple Select

Look at the Moh's scale of hardness to the left. Which tools cannot scratch feldspar?

• Drill bit

• Glass

• Fingernail

• Copper coin (penny)

Multiple Choice

Look at the Moh's scale of hardness to the left. Which mineral is harder than fluorite but softer than topaz?

• Talc

• Calcite

• Feldspar

• Corundum