Earth Science Lab Homework.

The Study of Minerals

*Use upload for pictures

1. Name the physical property (hardness, color, streak, etc.) described by each of the following statements.

DESCRIPTION:                                             PHYSICAL PROPERTY:

Breaks along smooth planes: ___________________________________

Scratches glass: _______________________________________

Shines like metal: __________________________________

Scratching produces a red powder: _____________________________

Looks like broken glass: ______________________________

2. What term is used to describe the shape of a mineral that has three directions of cleavage that intersect at 90-degree angels?   _______________________________

3. Describe the cleavage fo the minerals listed below. include the number of directions and degrees of cleavage angles (if appropriate).

MINERAL:                   CLEAVAGE:

Muscovite:   _____________________

Calcite: _______________________

Halite:  ______________________

Feldspar: _____________________

4. What physical feature most distinguishes biotite mica from muscovite mica? __________________________

5. Name a mineral that exhibits the physical properties listed below. (use the Photos in the upload, if needed)

PROPERTY:                           MINERAL:

One direction of cleavage: ________________________

Striations:    ________________________

Multiple Colors: __________________

Cubic cleavage: ______________________

Nonmetallic, vitreous luster: ______________________

Fracture: _____________________

Metallic luster: _____________________

6. Figure 1.32 illustrates the common crystal form of the mineral fluorite and the characteristic shape of a cleaved sample of fluorite. Identify each specimen (A or B) next to its appropriate description below. 

Cystal form of fluorite: ____________

Cleavage specimen of fluorite: ___________

7. Refer to the photo in Figure 1.33 to complete the following.

       a. Describe the crystal form (habit) of this specimen.

           ______________________________________________________________________________

       b. What term is applied to the lines on this sample?

           ______________________________________________________________________________

       c. Based on what you can determine from this photo, use the mineral identification key (see figure 1.24) to  

           identify this mineral. 

           ______________________________________________________________________________

8. A photo of agate, a variety of quartz composed of microscopically small crystals, is provided in Figure 1.34. Based on this image, describe the habit of this sample.

         _______________________________________________________________________________

         _______________________________________________________________________________

9. If a mineral can be scratched by a penny but not by a fuman fingernail, what is its hardness on the Mohs scale?

         ____________________________

10. What term is used to describe the tenacity of muscovite?

         _________________________________________

11. Use the mineral identification key (see Figure 1.24) to identify a mineral that is nonmetallic, dark colored, harder than glass, lacks cleavage, and is green in color.   _________________________________

12. For each mineral listed below, list at least one diagnostic property. 

MINERAL NAME:            DIAGNOSTIC PROPERTY

Halite:     ______________________________________

Galena:   ______________________________________

Magnetite: _____________________________________

Muscovite: _____________________________________

Hematite: ______________________________________

Fluorite: _______________________________________

Talc:  _________________________________________

Graphite: ______________________________________

Calcite:  _______________________________________

13. List the two most common rock-forming mineral groups.

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

14. Providean economic use for each mineral listed below.

Galena: _______________________

Hematite: _____________________

Graphite: ______________________

Sphalerite: _____________________

Gypsum: ______________________

Calcite: _______________________