Mineral Identification Worksheet GLG/220 Version 2

University of Phoenix Material

Mineral Identification Worksheet

Mineral Identification Worksheet

Open the simulation and print this worksheet and the Mineral Identification Job Aid. Then do the following: 1. 2. Conduct all tests on the minerals in the virtual lab. Minerals in the virtual lab are numbered 17. Keep track of which mineral you are working with as you record your observations. Record your observations of each test in Part 1 of this worksheet. Help: Refer to the job aids in the upper right corner of the test screens to help you interpret what you observe. 3. Identify the minerals by comparing your observations with the Mineral Identification Reference Sheet. Write the name of each mineral in Part 2 of this worksheet. Help: The minerals in the virtual lab are numbered to conceal their identities, but the minerals will include seven of those listed below. To help you identify them, refer to the Mineral Identification Job Aid. Borax Calcite Corundum Graphite Gypsum Orthoclase feldspar Pyrite Quartz Talc Topaz

4. Post Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 in this worksheet as an attachment to your Assignment Section. Delete the introductory instructions in this worksheet before you submit it to your instructor.

Appendix B GLG/220 Version 2

Part 1: Recording Observations In the chart below, record your observations of each test for the seven minerals. After you have completed all tests, name the minerals in Part 2 of this worksheet. An example of how to fill out the chart is illustrated below. Recorded Observations for Minerals 17 Tests Color Streak Luster Specific Gravity Cleavage Fracture Hardness & Example White White Shiny 3.18 Mineral 1 Gold Black Shiny 5.1 Mineral 2 Green White Shiny 2.8 Mineral 3 White White Pearly 2.7 Mineral 4 Pink and white White Dull 2.6 Mineral 5 White and gold White Shiny 2.65 Mineral 6 White White Pearly 2-3 Mineral 7 Black and green Brown Dull 2.2

Cleavage

Fracture

Fracture

Cleavage

Fracture

Fracture

Cleavage

Fracture

4 No Reaction

3.1-5.4

1-2.9

1-2.9 Active bubbling and fizz

3.1-6.0

6.1-10

1-2.9

1-2.9

Acid

no reaction

No reaction

No reaction

No reaction

No reaction

No reaction

Part 2: Naming the Minerals

Appendix B GLG/220 Version 2

Name the minerals below. Then, insert a percentage of how certain you are in your identification. Finally, explain your percentage of certainty: What was confusing about this mineral? What other minerals do you think it could be? Remember, the minerals in the virtual lab include seven of the following: borax, calcite, corundum, graphite, gypsum, orthoclase feldspar, pyrite, quartz, talc, and topaz. Identification of Mineral Percent Certain Explanation of Certainty I am almost certain this mineral is fluorite, but I am not completely sure. Fluorite and gypsum are both white, shiny, have white streaks, cleave, and show no reaction to acid. However, the specific gravity of this mineral is 3.18, which is higher than gypsum, so I am pretty sure it is fluorite. I am certain that this mineral is Pyrite. This mineral has a distinct color and streak to it that determined its placement. The hardness being 5.1 was also an indication that this mineral is certainly pyrite. I am confident in my answer. Talc also had distinctive characteristics about it that determined its classification. Such as its green color that was a big give away to me. I am more than confident in my answer that this mineral is Talc. The test that gave this mineral away was the acid test. The test showed active bubbling and fizz which most or all the other minerals did not have in common. As well as the color and pearl shine that accompanied its characteristics. I am certain that this mineral is calcite. This mineral fit every characteristic of the orthoclase feldspar. The distinct look of this mineral was a certainty that I had the mineral in the right classification. I am more than certain this is an orthoclase feldspar. The hardness of this mineral helped me classify this as a quartz. It was neither scratched by the penny or file. In this case the hardness

Example: Fluorite

80% certain

Mineral 1: Pyrite 100% certain

Mineral 2: Talc 100% certain Mineral 3:Calcite 100% certain

Mineral 4:Orthoclase Feldspar 100% certain

Mineral 5:Quartz

100% certain

Appendix B GLG/220 Version 2

was a 6.1-10. Im sure that I classified this mineral correct. Mineral 6:Gypsum 100% certain I classified this mineral a gypsum because it fit all the classifications almost spot on. Although you had borax and calcite. This mineral neither was dull or had an active bubbling and fizz. This is what helped me determine that the mineral is gypsum. I am more than confident that this is gypsum. From my observation and test everything matches except the acid test which tells me that this is more than likely graphite. Even though in the classification table it could have a light bubbling and fizz there could also be that chance that it could not. So I am very firm on my decision to name this graphite.

Mineral 7: Graphite 100% certain

Part 3: Summary Write a summary answering the following: 1. What are the four requirements for a material to be classified as a mineral? Must be solid, have a crystalline structure, naturally occurring and made up of the same substance. 2. How do you differentiate between minerals? By the color, streak, luster, specific gravity, cleavage and fracture, hardness and acid test. 3. Briefly summarize the six methods to tell minerals apart. Color- The color of a mineral depends on its level of absorption of various wavelengths of light. Streak- The color of the minerals powder when rubbed against a porcelain plate. Luster- you see this when light is reflected off of the rock, it is classified from dull to glossy. Specific gravity- The weight of mineral in water divided by the weight of the water. Cleavage and Fracture- Cleavage looks like a rough un even break while fracture is a clean break looking like smooth lines. Hardness- determined by using the mohs scale. Usually determined by objects scratching the surface of the mineral. 4. Summarize the major differences between minerals and rocks. Minerals have a specific chemical composition while rocks are made of different types of minerals.