1. Identifying Minerals Pages 49-54

2. Identifying MineralsCrystal SystemsCleavageCleavage/FractureFractureSpecial PropertiesDensityHardnessColorStreakLuster

3. Color Color is an easily observed physical property. Not the best property to use to identify because many minerals like quartz can come in a variety of colors. Identifying Minerals

4. Streak Streak is the color of the mineral’s powder when it is rubbed against a Streak Plate – This property does not vary like the color of the mineral can. Identifying Minerals

5. Luster Metallic luster- looks like a metal. Non-Metallic Luster- does not look like a metal, can be glassy, dull, earthy, waxy and pearly. Luster is used to describe how a mineral reflects light from its surface. Identifying Minerals

6. Crystal Structure Each mineral grows atom to atom to form that mineral’s particular structure. – Classified into six groups (crystal systems) based on the number and angle of the crystal faces. Identifying Minerals

7. Cleavage Cleavage- is a mineral that easily splits along flat surfaces. Identifying Minerals

8. Fracture Fracture- describes how a mineral looks when it breaks apart in an irregular way. Identifying Minerals

9. Special Properties Fluorescence- glows under UV (ultraviolet light) Fluorescence Magnetic- acts like a magnet Radioactive- give off radiation- Uraninite Reacts to Acid- reacts by fizzing. Electrical Properties- electric current can be produced (Quartz) – Used in watches Identifying Minerals

11. It is the mass in a given volume. It always remains the same for any given mineral. Density Identifying Minerals

12. A balance would be used to measure the mass of a sample. The sample can be placed in a graduated cylinder to determine the volume. Density Identifying Minerals

13. Water Displacement (how much water is moved, is equal to the volume of the sample) is used to determine the volume of the sample Density Identifying Minerals

14. One of the best clues. Mohs hardness scale. – A scale from 1 to 10. Hardness Identifying Minerals

15. Mohs Hardness Scale Other Hardness’s 4. 5. A steel nail can easily scratch it. A steel nail can scratch it. 1.2.3. Softest known mineral. Flakes when scratched by a fingernail. A fingernail can easily scratch it. Fingernail cannot scratch it, but a copper penny can. Identifying Minerals

16. Mohs Hardness Scale 6. 10. Other Hardness’s 7. 8.9. Can scratch steel and hard glass easily. Can scratch quartz. Can scratch topaz. Can’t be scratched by a steel nail, but can scratch window glass. Hardest known mineral, can scratch all other surfaces.

17. Mineral Hardness Rating Talc1 Gypsum2 Calcite3 Fluorite4 Apatite5 Feldspar6 Quartz7 Topaz8 Corundum9 Diamond10