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1.
Specific gravity
i. Introduction:
1. Specific Gravity is the density of a mineral relative to water. Metallic minerals often have
high specific gravities.
ii. Procedure:
1. In order to find the specific gravity, you must hang the sample from a spring scale. Hold the
scale so that the sample hangs freely on the string from the hook on the scale. Measure and
record the mass in grams (M1). Lower the mineral into the beaker so that it is covered
completely by water. Record the mass (M2).
2. Calculate the specific gravity using the equation: M1/(M1-M2). Record the specific gravity.
3. Use the dichotomous key to figure out the mineral sample that you have based upon the
given specific gravities.
iii. Students will key out which mineral that they have discovered the specific gravity of through a
dichotomous key:
3.
Hardness
i. Materials to test for hardness:
1. Fingernails (2.5)
2. Penny (3.5)
3. Iron nail (4.5)
4. Glass plate (5.5)
ii. Introduction:
1. Hardness is the minerals resistance to scratching. It is controlled by the strength of atomic
bonds within the mineral. Mineral hardness is rated from 1 (very soft) to 10 (extremely hard)
on the Mohs Hardness Scale.
iii. Procedure:
1. One of the materials you will use is your fingernail, which has a hardness of about 2.5. If
you scratch a rock easily with your fingernail, you know that the rocks hardness is less than
2.5.
2. Use a penny, with hardness of 3.5, to also help you to identify the minerals hardness.
3. You will also try an iron nail, which has a hardness of about 4.5.
4. Finally, you will check to see if your mineral scratches glass. Glass has a hardness of 5.5, so
if your mineral sample scratches glass, it has a hardness greater than 5.5.
5. On your activity sheet, write down the color of each mineral, and indicate what materials
each mineral scratches and doesnt scratch.
6. Estimate the approximate hardness of each mineral, and identify your mineral using the
provided dichotomous key.
iv. Dichotomous key:
Mineral Hardness
1a. If your mineral sample is softer than 3.5, go to 2.
1b. If your mineral sample is harder than 3.5, go to 3.
2a. If your mineral sample is softer than 2.5, it is TALC.
2b. If your mineral sample is harder than 2.5 but softer than 3.5, it is CALCITE.
3a. If your mineral sample is harder than 3.5 but softer than 4.5, it is FLUORITE.
3b. If your mineral sample is harder than 5.5, it is QUARTZ.
4.
Crystalline structures
i. Introduction:
1. Crystalline Structure is the natural growth, or shape, of a mineral. Minerals take this shape
whenever they are able to grow into open space. The crystal form of a mineral often has
many smooth, planar surfaces called faces that meet at characteristic angles (i.e. cubic
pyrite meets at right angles). Crystalline structure determines the shape of a mineral: its
sides, top, and bottom are all determined through the structure. The crystalline structure
comes from the internal bonds of the elements of the mineral.
ii. Procedure:
1. Use the information sheet, Visualizing Crystal Systems, to help you to identify the
crystalline structure of the minerals at this station.
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