Rocks and Minerals

There are several examples of rocks and minerals on a lab table. Josh chooses a sample that is gray, with black layers. When he uses a hand lens, he observes small crystals throughout the sample. The sample weighs about 12 grams and it breaks very easily. What questions could Josh ask that would help him determine if the sample is a rock or a mineral?

• How many materials make up the sample? How many grams does the sample weigh?

• Is the sample easy to break open? What is the color of the sample?

• Does the sample have crystals? How much does the sample weigh?

• Is the sample made out of only one material?

The students in Mrs. Hagerty's third grade class are observing and classifying minerals. One group has decided they want to group their minerals by luster. Which question will best help the students classify the minerals?

• What does the mineral feel like?

• Is the mineral metallic?

• What color is each mineral?

• Can the mineral be scratched?

What tool do you use to test a mineral's true color?

• water

• clay tiles

• nail

• penlight

What tool helps you determine if a mineral is opaque, transparent, or translucent?

• water

• clay tiles

• nail

• penlight

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

A precious stone that has been cut or polished.

• fossil

• cleavage

• gem

• luster

What tool helps us determine the true color or smell of a mineral?

• water

• clay tiles

• nail

• penlight

The way a mineral reflects light.

• fossil

• gem

• cleavage

• luster

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

What makes a test of minerals a "fair test?"

• You test each mineral differently

• You test the mineral with a magnet

• You test each mineral the same exact way

• You test the mineral with a nail

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

What color is the mineral sample sulfur?

• Green

• White

• Yellow

• Brown

Using a penlight to observe if light passes through a mineral is what kind of test?

• Light

• Luster

• Magnetism

• Streak

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2