Virginia Earth Science Mineral Resources

​ (a)   are highly prized minerals because they are ​ (b)   . An example of a gem is a ​ (c)   which is the hardest mineral known.

• Gems
• rare and beautiful
• Diamond

Ores are minerals that contain a useful substance that can be mined at a profit.

​ (a)   is refined to make aluminum

Hematite can be refined to make​ (b)  

Halite is salt

Graphite to make ​ (c)  

​ (d)   used in medicines

Magnetite used for magnets

​ (e)   used in powders

• Bauxite
• iron
• pencils
• Sulfur
• talc

Match the following

• Graphite

• 
• Sulfur

• 
• Bauxite

• 
• Talc

• 
• Hematite

• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS1-3

Rock forming minerals

​ (a)   - most abundant mineral found on earth, contain silica, aluminum, and potassium

​ (b)   -composed of weathered feldspar

​ (c)   - can be split into thin sheets, can be clear to very dark green or black

​ (d)   found in igneous rocks, composed of magnesium, iron, silica, and aluminum

• Feldspar
• Clays
• Micas
• Hornblende

Match the following

• Clay

• 
• Horneblende

• 
• Feldspar

• 
• Mica

• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

​ (a)   is a very common mineral, ( Silicon dioxide ) ​ (b)   is Quartz weathered into small pieces.

Galena is unique because it is ​ (c)   compared to its size, it has ​ (d)   .

• Quartz
• Sand
• extremely heavy
• specific gravity

In Virginia, some of the important minerals are:

Kyanite-tiles, brake shoes, grinding wheels, ​ (a)  

​ (b)   which is known as fool's gold

​ (c)   is found in every cave and formed from limestone in acidic water.

• ceramic parts, pottery
• Pyrite
• Calcite

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Match the following

• Calcite

• 
• Pyrite

• 
• Kyanite

• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1