Add to Table of Contents: Mineral Lab/questionsPg. 28 Properties of MineralsPg. 29
Physical Properties of Minerals Pg. 29 (can be used to identify the mineral) 1. Color- Can be misleading Can vary with the type of impurities
Physical Properties of Minerals (can be used to identify the mineral) 2. Luster- Surface reflection of light metallic = shiny like metal non-metallic = dull or reflects light(but not like metals) Pyrite has a metallic luster Calcite has a non-metallic luster
Physical Properties of Minerals (can be used to identify the mineral) 3. Streak-The color of the powdered form of the mineral. The color of the streak can be different than the mineral. Minerals must be softer than the streak plate.
Streak…can help identify quartz
Physical Properties of Minerals (can be used to identify the mineral) 4. Cleavage The way the mineral breaks & Fracture Cleavage—minerals break along smooth, flat surfaces. Fracture—minerals that break at random with rough or jagged edges.
Physical Properties of Minerals (can be used to identify the mineral) 5.Hardness- How easily a mineral scratches materials(or resists being scratched) Mohs Hardness Scale Scale from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest) Test by seeing if the mineral can scratch different objects (like human fingernail, copper penny, glass, steel file)
Cleavage or fracture?
Turn to page 28 Copy the following chart.
Name Color Luster Streak Color Cleavage or Fracture Hardness (1-10) 1.Hematite 2. Pyrite 3. Graphite 4. Gypsum 5. Halite 6. Calcite 7. Selenite 8. Apatite 9. Quartz 10.Muscovite 11. Olivine 12.Microcline
View minerals and identify their properties.