Rocks and Minerals

Which question would you ask about a rock’s texture?

• Is it shiny or dull?

• How does it reflect light?

• How much does it weigh?

• Is it rough or smooth?

A student found a rock in his backyard and wants to figure out whether it is a rock or a mineral. Which is NOT a question that we can ask to identify if the sample is a rock or mineral?

• Is it made of one material?

• Is it all one color?

• How big is it?

• Is it smooth or rough?

What are rocks made of?

• Minerals

• Fossils

• Sand

• Weathering

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

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

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