1. Minerals, Ores and Fossil Fuels
Earth’s resources have properties that make them important and useful.

2. Properties
Properties that determine the usefulness of an ore or mineral may be identified using a chart, diagram, or dichotomous key.
There are two types of properties:
Physical Properties - characteristics that can be observed or measured without changing the matter’s identity
Chemical Properties – characteristics that describe matter based on its ability to change into new materials that have different properties

3. Physical Properties Hardness (Moh’s hardness scale) Luster (shine)
Color
Texture (smooth, rough, bumpy, sharp)
Crystal Shape (the way a mineral splits or breaks)
Density (does it sink or float?)

4. Copy into notebook – use to answer questions

5. Can a Quartz scratch a Diamond? No
Questions
Can a Quartz scratch a Diamond? No
Which is harder – Fluorite or Apatite?
Apatite
Which mineral can scratch Calcite?
Any from Hardness 4-10

6. Which mineral could most easily be made into a powder?
Talc
Which mineral would make the best tool for digging? Worst?
Best = Diamond; Worst = Talc
Which mineral can scratch a Diamond?
None

7. Chemical Properties
Ability to burn (flammable?)
Reactivity to acids (what happens when HCL is dropped on it?)

8. Minerals Ores Fossil Fuels
Three common Earth resources that have importance based on their properties:
Minerals
Ores
Fossil Fuels

9. Minerals natural inorganic solid materials found on Earth
building blocks of rock
Each has a specific chemical makeup and set of properties that determine their use and value

10. Ores Minerals that are mined Contain useful metals and nonmetals
Examples:
Kimberlite –diamond
Iron Ore---Iron

11. Fossil Fuels Natural Fuels Example:
Come from the remains of living things
Coal
Oil
Give off energy when they are burned
Natural gas