Earth Science Worksheet

The property of luster means..

• the hardness of a mineral

• the color of the mineral

• the streak the mineral leaves

• how the mineral reflects light

Which property of the mineral diamond allows diamond powder to be used to shape gems for jewelry?

• Cleavage

• Crystal shape

• Hardness

• Streak

The table shows the characteristics of four different mineral samples. Which two mineral samples would be easiest to distinguish from each other based on their color, luster, and streak?

• A. Halite and Quartz

• B. Halite and Gold

• C. Galena and Quartz

• D. Galena and Gold

What gives each of these minerals their unique properties?

• Diamonds form in more shallow environments than graphite, with less space to form.

• Diamonds require more open space to form than granite, with less time required

• The carbon atoms in graphite are arranged and bonded differently than those in diamonds due to pressure

• Graphite forms in mountainous areas while diamonds must form underwater

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Which mineral is colorless and has an orthorhombic crystal structure?

• topaz

• quartz

• feldspar

• calcite

Which statement is best supported by this scale?

• A. A fingernail will scratch quartz, but not calcite

• B. A fingernail will scratch calcite, but not quartz

• C. A piece of glass can be scratched by quartz, but not by calcite

• D. A piece of glass can be scratched by calcite, but not by quartz

Analyze the diagram showing Test A, Test B, and Test C. What do these tests help to determine?

• How fast the minerals break down

• The identity of the minerals

• The environment where the minerals formed

• How long ago the minerals formed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Which mineral from the table belongs in the same mineral group as quartz and olivine?

• A. Zincite

• B. Willemite

• Sphalerite

• Smithsonite

Which physical property is represented by letter A in the concept map shown?

• Color

• Cleavage

• Magnetism

• Luster

Which mineral is hard enough to scratch calcite, which has a hardness of 3, but is not hard enough to scratch amphibole, which has a hardness of 5?