Rocks and minerals

Rocks are made up of _________?

• Minerals

• Fossils

• Water

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Rosa has two minerals, hematite and magnetite but she’s gotten them mixed up! She has recorded their attributes in the chart:

• Which mineral will scratch the other mineral? The mineral that is scratched by the other will be Magnetite since it has a lower hardness than Hematite.

• 1. Which mineral has a rougher texture? The mineral that has a rougher texture will be Hematite since the hardness is higher than Magnetite. 

• Which mineral has a shinier luster? The mineral that has a shiner texture will be Magnetite since the hardness is lower than Hematite.

Which mineral is described in the chart?

• Talc

• Diamond

• Fluorite

Which question would NOT help you identify a mineral?

• 1. Is the mineral heavy?

• What color is the mineral?

• Is the mineral metallic?

Mrs. Webb gave her students the following clue card to help identify 2 samples as rocks or minerals.

Which question should Mrs. Webb ask her students to help them understand which sample is a rock or mineral?

• 1. Was the specimen found outside?

• 1. Which sample weighs the most?

• How many materials make up the sample?

Which of the following best explains the difference between a rock and a mineral?

• 1. A rock can be made up of minerals, but minerals cannot be made up of a rock.

• 1. A rock always has the same shape, while minerals may be different in shape.

• 1. A mineral always has the same shape, while a rock may be different in shape.

Students in a fourth grade class use the Mohs Scale to determine the hardness of minerals. Students are tasked with proving the hardness scale with minerals and objects in their class. 

• Is the mineral easy to scratch with other minerals provided?

• 1. Is the mineral as shiny as other minerals on the chart?

• 1. Is the mineral smooth to the touch?

Tags

NGSS.5-PS1-3

Which of the following characteristics are used by scientists when identifying minerals?

• luster

• length

• mass

A student was outside rock collecting and found a specimen on the ground. What question should they ask to determine if it is a rock or a mineral?

• 1. How big is the specimen?

• 1. How heavy is the specimen?

• 1. Is the specimen made of the same material throughout?

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Which mineral is described in the chart?

• halite

• fluorite

• talc