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Title
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Identifying Minerals
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Type
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Primary: Laboratory
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Operation
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Tectonic Fury
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Mission:
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Mission 1: The Building Blocks
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Print Page
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23
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Subjects
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Science | Earth and space science | Earth materials | Minerals | Science as inquiry | Science process skills | Analyzing data | Classifying | Collecting data | Communicating | Measuring | Modeling | Observing | Scientific habits of mind | Using scientific equipment
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Grades
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5 | 6 | 7 | 8
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Keywords
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mineral, mineral identification, classification, dichotomous key, mineral formation, mineral use, commercial use, observation, description, physical property, luster, color, density, streak, crystal structure, cleavage, hardness, conductivity, Mohs hardness scale, streak test, streak plate, magnetism
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Duration
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01:30:00 (HH:MM:SS)
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Audience
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Teachers | Elementary Grades | Junior High
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Created On
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5/7/2010
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Copyright
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Mineral photo credits (Left to Right): Ra’ike/Wikimedia Commons; USGS; Archaeodontosauno/Wikimedia Commons; Sebastian Socha/Wikimedia Commons; USGS; USGS; USGS
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From: Tectonic Fury Mission 1: The Building Blocks (pp: 23) |
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Identifying Minerals In this lab, students will analyze the properties of minerals and use a dichotomous key to
help determine the identities of several mineral samples. Then, they will conduct research
about the geologic conditions in which these minerals may have formed. This knowledge will
help students research some current uses of each mineral, as well as possible uses.
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When Mike Wise is in a mine or in the lab, he can encounter unknown minerals. To help identify these minerals, he analyzes their properties. Once the minerals have been identified, he can research and develop ideas about the conditions in which each formed. This information helps him understand where these minerals form and potential uses for each.
In this activity, you will analyze the properties of minerals and use a dichotomous key to help determine the identities of several mineral samples. Then, you will conduct research about the geologic conditions in which these minerals may have formed. This knowledge will help you research some current uses of each mineral, as well as possible uses.
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| Materials |
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- water
- graduated cylinder
- hand lens
- nail
- mineral references
- object provided by instructor
- pipette
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| Lab Prep |
- Your instructor will provide you with an object. Write a detailed physical description of it. Develop a name or category for each part of the description, such as “Color.”
- Trade your object and description with a classmate. Read their description and add anything they have missed. Return the object to your instructor and the description to your classmate.
- Your instructor will place all of the objects into a box. Using your description, try to identify your object.
- Document which parts of the description were helpful in identifying the object. Which parts were not as helpful?
- Modify your description to make it more useful for someone else to use.
- Return the object to the box and the description to your teacher. Your instructor will provide you with another classmate’s description. Use their description to identify their object.
- Document which parts of the description were helpful and not as helpful in identifying the object. List additional information that would have helped you identify their object.
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| Make Observations |
- Compare and contrast the categories you made for your object in the Lab Prep to the physical properties of minerals listed in the table on page 17.
- Obtain a set of minerals from your instructor. As a class, complete steps 3 and 4 on one sample. Then, complete steps 3 and 4 on the remaining samples.
- Use the Physical Properties of Minerals table and directions in the data sheet to write physical descriptions of the mineral samples.
- Use your description, the Mineral Dichotomous Key in the data sheet, and the mineral references to identify each sample.
- Using the mineral references, determine the environment in which each mineral normally forms (from molten rock, solution, or metamorphism).
- Research and document some uses of the minerals you identified.
- Describe ways the physical properties of minerals can be helpful to identify minerals in the field and in the lab.
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| Extension |
Collect rocks from your local area, such as the school grounds or around your home. Using the Physical Properties of Minerals table, the Dichotomous Key, and mineral reference books, try to identify some of the minerals in the rocks.
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Journal Question
Identify several ways mineral identification can be helpful for scientists, businesses, or agriculture in your local community. |
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