C Morritt

Common Rock-Forming
Minerals
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GRANITE
GRANITE
Granite is a rock that was once molten. It formed
deep in the earths crust. It has very large crystals.
It is a good
rock to study
first as you
can see the
large crystals
of minerals
that make it
up.

5 minutes
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Weathered
Granite
Outcrop
Wave Rock
Hyden WA
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Granite
outcrop
Yosemite
National Park
USA
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Granite
Outcrop
Big Rock
USA

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Observations of the rock Granite
Make some observations of the rock
granite under the binocular microscope.

Do a drawing of granite showing the
crystals (or grains) and how they relate to
each other.

Label their colours.


5 minutes
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5 minutes to label
the minerals
..\..\..\Investigating\1 Laboratory roles.ppt
Collaborate the tables
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5 minutes to label
the minerals
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Rock-forming Minerals
Write each of these statements and provide
an example.
Rocks are mixtures of minerals.
Minerals are pure substances (compounds
or elements).
Because they are elements or compounds
minerals have recognizable, specific
properties.

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colour hardness reaction
with
acid
density other
properties
eg lustre
Quartz
Feldspar
Calcite
Talc
Biotite
Haematite
Description
Mineral
Properties of some common rock-forming
minerals
2minutes to glue in table
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In pairs - Work through the minerals, rotating
them through the whole team 25 minutes
Observe them beneath the binocular
microscope. Describe as fully as you can what
you observe. Write in the table as a guide.
Try scratching each mineral with your fingernail,
the copper coin and the iron scissor blade. State
which mineral is the hardest, softest and why
you think this.
Put a few drops of acid on each mineral. Note if
there is any fizzing. Wash each mineral after the
acid treatment.
Properties of some common minerals
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Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
In 1812 the Mohs scale of mineral
hardness was devised by the German
mineralogist Frederich Mohs (1773-1839),
who selected the ten minerals because
they were common or readily available.
The scale is not a linear scale
It is a relative scale
If a mineral scratches another then the
mineral that has the mark is softer.
Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
In 1812 the Mohs scale of mineral hardness was devised by the German mineralogist Frederich Mohs (1773-1839), who selected the ten minerals because they were common or readily available. The scale is not a linear scale, but somewhat arbitrary.

Hardness

Mineral
1 Talc
2 Gypsum
3 Calcite
4 Fluorite
5 Apatite
6 Feldspar
7 Quartz
8 Topaz
9 Corundum
10 Diamond
Hardness of some other items:
2.5 Fingernail
2.5-3 Gold, Silver
3 Copper coin
4-4.5 Platinum
4-5 Iron
5.5 Knife blade
6-7 Glass
6.5 Iron pyrite
7+
Hardened steel
file
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Pop Quiz Fizzing
Fizzing is a chemical reaction and
indicates that a ________ is being given
off.
The mineral ____________ gives off a gas
called ____________ ____________
with acid.
This is a good test to tell the difference
between the minerals calcite and
_______________ .

Mineral Formulae
SiO
2
quartz
KAlSi
3
O
8
feldspar
CaCO
3
calcite
Mg
3
Si
4
O
10
(OH)
2
talc
K(Mg,Fe)
3
(OH,F)
2
(AlSi
3
O
10
)
.
Biotite mica
Fe
2
O
3
haematite


quartz crystals a glassy mineral

feldspar can be white or pink

Talc a soft mineral


Biotite a mineral that cleaves in sheets
Haematite iron ore (looks rusty)

http://www.galleries.com/minerals/hardnes
s.htm


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Classify the minerals on their properties
minerals
light dark
In pairs construct a chart each in your own science
workbook.
Round Robin in the whole group to compare with the work
of other students.
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Classify the minerals on their properties
Minerals
Light colour
Dark colour
pink white shiny dull
biotite haematite
feldspar Harder than others
Softer
fizzes Does not fizz
calcite
talc
quartz
QUADRANGLE
WINDOWS
B
A
C
K

W
A
L
L

QUADRANGLE
WINDOWS
B
A
C
K

W
A
L
L