1. 6B15 Mineral Properties

2. B15 Mineral Property Vocabulary
TRANSMIT LIGHT
Opaque=light does NOT pass through it at all
Translucent=light goes through but not clearly
Transparent=light passes through clearly
LUSTER
Brilliant Luster=shiny and reflects lots of light
Glassy Luster=reflects some light
Dull Luster=does not reflect any light
OTHER
Geology=study of rocks and minerals
Synthetic=man-made artificial materials; not natural
Crystal=atoms are arranged in a repeating pattern
Mining=dig, break rocks, and find minerals inside

3. B15 Common Geometric Solids
Tetrahedron (4 sides) ………………………..
Cube (6 sides)………….
Rhombohedron (6 sides)………………..
Octahedron (8 sides)….

4. B15 Mineral Physical Properties
Color
Hardness: Mohs Scale
#1 = soft Talc, and #10 = hard Diamond
High number minerals scratch low number minerals
Each mineral has a unique SET of properties so yellow diamond is different from yellow rocks.

5. B15 Finding Minerals Valuable minerals at Earth’s surface are gone.
Collectors now must dig deeper underground.
They mine rocks to find the minerals inside.
Not all minerals are found everywhere.
South African diamond mine is 2.1 miles deep.
Diamonds also in North America, Australia, and Asia.

6. South African Diamond Mine

7. Gold Mining

8. Detroit Salt Mine

9. Large Crystal Mine in Mexico

10. Coal Mining

11. Geode

12. B15 Synthetic Minerals Some minerals are now made in laboratories.
These synthetic “minerals” are not fake.
They have the same structure and properties as natural minerals.
But they are not called minerals since they are not found naturally, or “mined”, on Earth.
Now try to make a Concept Map of terms.

13. B15 Properties Concept Map, Date__ Name_____________________ Hr__
Make/color a Concept Map using these terms:
Crystal Structure Minerals
Hardness Geologists
Properties Granite
Fluorite Rocks
Diamond Color
Mohs Hardness Scale Luster
Transmit Light Brilliant
Opaque Mine

14. B15 Mineral Property Analysis: Date_ Name_______________________ Hr_
Answer and explain in 1 paragraph each. 1) Which minerals can be found at your house? Explain the value of each one. 2) Why are diamonds a valuable natural resource? 3) Does the size of a mineral affect its properties? 4) Does the size of a mineral affect its value?