Identification of Minerals

Which statement is best supported by the Moh’s Mineral Hardness Scale ◦ A fingernail will scratch

calcite, but not quartz◦ A fingernail will scratch

quartz, but not calcite◦ A piece of glass can be

scratched by quartz, but not by calcite

◦ A piece of glass can be scratched by calcite, but not quartz.

Do Now

Aim: ◦ What are different mineral groups? ◦ How do we identify minerals based on the

reference table? Learning Target:

◦ I can identify minerals by examining their luster, fracture, streak and hardness.

◦ I can discriminate between multiple minerals using a dichotomous key of mineral characteristics

Aim & Learning Target

Definition of a “Mineral”

There are more than 4,000 different minerals on Earth.

Some are quite common, while others are very uncommon, and we don’t use them at all.

So, how do we define minerals?

Mineral: a naturally occurring, nonliving solid, with a definite structure and composition.

We will need to look at this definition a little more closely…

Chemical Composition

Each mineral has a unique chemical composition which makes it different from all other minerals.

Examples: Copper CuGold Au Halite NaClQuartz SiO2

Calcite CaCO3

Corundum Al2O3

Beryl Be3Al2Si6O18

Ruby Al2O3

Diamond C

How do we Identify Them: Pg 16

What are observations that we have of table?

Luster Hardness Cleavage/fracture Common colors Distinguishing characteristics Uses Composition name

It tells us about

They test how well you can use the reference table.

Often on the Regents

example

Graphite use?

1. Find use part of table2. Block out the rest of the table3. Find graphite

example

example

1. Find luster, characteristicspart of table2. Block out the rest3. use process of elimination

example

example

1. Find hardness, dolomite2. Look back at the problem

Answer:

Dichotomous Key Practice

Mineral has: Metallic Luster, Fracture, Colored Streak, and is Hard

Dichotomous Key Practice

Mineral has: Metallic Luster, Fracture, Colored Streak, and is Hard

Dichotomous Key Practice

Mineral has: Non-metallic Luster, cleavage, colored streak, soft __________

Mineral has: Non-metallic Luster, cleavage, colored streak, soft __________

Dichotomous Key Practice

Mineral has Non-metallic luster, fracture, white streak, hard

Mineral has: Non-metallic Luster, cleavage, colored streak, soft __________

Dichotomous Key Practice

Textbook: ◦Pages 50 – 54◦Define the Vocabulary Listed on Page 50◦Complete the Reading strategy listed on

Page 50

Classwork: