1. Properties of Minerals
Created by Kesler Science – More 5E lessons at KeslerScience.com
Presented by Kesler Science

2. Essential Questions: What properties identify a mineral?
How are different minerals identified?
What are some common uses for minerals?

3. Quick Action – Properties of Minerals
What are some differences between rocks and minerals? Brainstorm some ideas with you class.
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4. Quick Action – INB Template
Properties of Minerals INB Template
Cut out the Template.
Glue it into your notebook.
Let’s find out some similarities and differences between rocks and minerals.
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5. Similarities of Rocks and Minerals
Properties of Minerals
Similarities of Rocks and Minerals
Inorganic compounds (non-living)
Both can be classified by their chemical composition.
Solids
Naturally formed
Found around the world in many of the same places on Earth
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6. Rocks Properties of Minerals
Most commonly classified by how they form.
Sedimentary
Metamorphic
Igneous
Composed of more than one mineral.
No definite chemical composition.
No definite crystal structure.
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7. Minerals Properties of Minerals
In addition to being inorganic, solid, and naturally formed like rocks, minerals also have:
A definite chemical composition. (amounts of elements present)
A definite crystal structure. (unique arrangement of atoms/molecules)
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8. Quick Action – Properties of Minerals
Take a look at some different rocks and minerals. See if you can determine the difference from what you just learned. A C B
B (minerals on top of other minerals),E,D are minerals
A,D,F are rocks
Use real specimens rather than pictures if possible. D F E
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9. Quick Action – INB Template
Properties of Minerals INB Template
Cut out the Template
Glue the top tab into your notebook.
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10. Quick Action – INB Template
Properties of Minerals INB Template
3. Cut out the Template
4. Glue the top tab to the back of “hardness” prism.
5. Fold along the dotted lines to make a foldable.
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11. Mineral Identification – Important Vocabulary
Properties of Minerals
Mineral Identification – Important Vocabulary
Color (green, red, yellow, blue, etc.)
Streak (Color of the streak across a streak plate)
Luster (Metallic or Non-Metallic)
Hardness (Mohs Scale)
Density (Specific gravity)
Breakage Pattern (Cleavage and Fracture)
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12. Properties of Minerals
Color
Many minerals have distinctive colors, but they come in a variety of hues.
Color should never be used as the only test for identifying a mineral.
Gold
Pyrite
(fool’s gold)
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13. Streak Properties of Minerals
The color a mineral displays in a finely powdered form
Might be completely different from the color of the mineral itself
To determine the streak, rub the mineral across a piece of unglazed porcelain know as a streak plate. .
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14. Luster Properties of Minerals
Metallic
Luster
The way a mineral’s surface reflects light.
Two types of luster
Metallic – shiny like a metal
Nonmetallic – several kinds
1. Glassy - quartz
2. Pearly - talc
3. Greasy - graphite
4. Silky – gypsum
5. Resinous - sulfur
6. Adamantine - diamond .
Nonmetallic 1 2 3 4 5 6
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15. Hardness Properties of Minerals
One of the most reliable ways to identify minerals
Compares the resistance of a mineral to being scratched by 10 reference minerals
Called the Mohs Hardness Scale
Named after Friedrich Mohs, a German mineralogist, who developed the scale in 1812 .
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16. Density Properties of Minerals
Defined as the amount of matter per unit volume
Density = mass divided by volume
In minerals, the term specific gravity is used in describing density.
In this way minerals can be compared and identified. .
If you want to get into Specific Gravity, here are some details.
Specific Gravity, also known as SG, is a measurement that determines the density of minerals. Two minerals may be the same size, but their weight may be very different. The specific gravity of a mineral determines how heavy it is by its relative weight to water. The specific gravity value is expressed upon how much greater the weight of the mineral is to an equal amount of water. Water has a specific gravity of 1.0. If a mineral has a specific gravity of 2.7, it is 2.7 times heavier than water. Minerals with a specific gravity under 2 are considered light, between 2 and 4.5 average, and greater than 4.5 heavy. 
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17. Cleavage Properties of Minerals
Refers to the way some minerals break along certain lines of weakness in their structure
Mica is a good example. .
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18. Fracture Properties of Minerals
A description of the way a mineral tends to break
Some different types of fracturing
1. Conchoidal – smooth curve
2. Hackly – sharp jagged edges
3. Uneven – rough and irregular
4. Fibrous – shows fibers . 1 2 3 4
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19. Common Mineral Uses Properties of Minerals MINERAL USE Bauxite
Aluminum, foil, plane parts
Calcite
Medicine, toothpaste, building materials
Copper
Electrical wire, sculptures
Diamond
Cutting tool, gemstone
Graphite
Pencils, lubricant in machinery
Gypsum
Wall board
Halite
Salt
Quartz
Electronics, radios, computers
Silver
Jewelry, photography, electrical equipment
Sulfur
Fungicides, kills bacteria, fertilizer
Talc
Baby powder
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20. Gemstones Properties of Minerals
Some minerals are cut to become precious gemstones.
This is another use for minerals.
What’s your birthday gemstone? .
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21. Quick Action – Properties of Minerals
Thinking Outside the Box
Choose one picture and tell how this picture is like a mineral. Share your answer with your partner. Share the best ones with the class. Get creative.
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22. Check for Understanding
Can you…
Describe the properties that identify a mineral?
Determine how different minerals are identified?
List some common uses for minerals?
Clear up any confusion and answer questions.
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