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Rocks and Minerals Study

Total questions: 14

Worksheet time: 16mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Tasha found a mineral and wonders what it is. Fluorite can scratch the mineral, but apatite can not. Using Moh's Hardness Scale, what is the hardness of the mineral Tasha found?

a)

4.0

b)

4.5

c)

5.0

d)

5.5

2.

Which question is a scientist most likely asking if she is classifying a rock based on its luster?

a)

How old is this rock?

b)

How hard is this rock?

c)

How large is this rock?

d)

How shiny is this rock?

3.

The table above shows the hardness of six minerals.

Using the table, which minerals will scratch Ekanite?

a)

Alabaster, Moissanite, and Creedite

b)

Boracite and Moissanite

c)

Alabaster and Creedite

d)

Boracite, Spectrolite, and Moissanite

4.

Beth was skipping stones on the water. The stones had many different colors and shapes. Which best describes the stones Beth was skipping?

a)

The stones were minerals.

b)

The stones were gems.

c)

The stones were rocks.

d)

The stones were diamonds.

5.

Which physical property of a given mineral displays the greatest range in differences?

a)

luster

b)

color

c)

hardness

d)

fracture

6.

Which of the following characteristics is a property that scientists use when identifying minerals?

a)

luster

b)

volume

c)

length

d)

size

7.

The table above shows the physical properties of six different minerals. Using the table, which mineral can scratch Wurtzite and has a poor ability to reflect light?

a)

Geothite

b)

Manganite

c)

Sphalerite

d)

Boulangerite

8.

Which of the following best explains a hardness scale?

a)

a scale that tests the hardness of a mineral by scratching other materials

b)

a scale that tests the hardness of a rock by scratching other materials

c)

a scale that tests the hardness of a mineral by being rubbed on other materials

d)

a scale that tests the hardness of a rock by being rubbed on other materials

9.

Which of the following is NOT a test to help classify a mineral?

a)

luster test

b)

hardness test

c)

weight test

d)

color test

10.

Pick the four characteristics of minerals that can be used to identify them.

a)

color

b)

size

c)

luster

d)

hardness

e)

texture

11.

The picture above shows the physical properties of four rocks in Tim's rock collection. How are Rock W and Rock X different?

a)

color and shape

b)

texture and shape

c)

color and hardness

d)

texture and hardness

12.

The table shows the properties of four different samples. Which of the following is true of the objects?

a)

Samples W and Y are minerals, and samples X and Z are rocks.

b)

Samples W and Z are minerals, and samples X and Y are rocks.

c)

Samples X and Y are minerals, and samples W and Z are rocks.

d)

Samples X and Z are minerals, and samples W and Y are rocks.

13.

Which question would help a scientist to sort rocks into groups based on their hardness?

a)

How heavy is the rock?

b)

Does the rock have a dark color?

c)

Will the rock scratch another material?

d)

Is the surface of the rock bumpy or smooth?

14.

Pick three samples that have a shiny luster

a)

sample V

b)

sample W

c)

sample X

d)

sample Y

e)

sample Z