Mineral Identification Worksheet

Assuming you have opened the simulation and printed this worksheet and the Mineral Identification Job Aid, do the following:

1. Conduct all tests on the minerals in the virtual lab. Minerals in the virtual lab are numbered 1-7. Keep track of which mineral you are working with as you record your observations.

2. Record your observations of each test in Part 1 of this worksheet.

Help: Refer to the job aids in the upper right corner of the test screens to help you interpret what you observe.

3. Identify the minerals by comparing your observations with the Mineral Identification Reference Sheet. Write the name of each mineral in Part 2 of this worksheet.

Help: The minerals in the virtual lab are numbered to conceal their identities, but the minerals will include seven of those listed below. To help you identify them, refer to the Mineral Identification Job Aid.

Borax Calcite Corundum Graphite Gypsum Orthoclase feldspar Pyrite Quartz Talc Topaz

4. Post Part 1 and Part 2 in this worksheet as an attachment to your Assignment Section. Delete the introductory instructions in this worksheet before you submit it to your instructor.

GLG 101

Part 1: Recording Observations

In the chart below, record your observations of each test for the seven minerals. After you have completed all tests, name the minerals in Part 2 of this worksheet. An example of how to fill out the chart is illustrated below.

Recorded Observations for Minerals 1-7

Tests Example Mineral 1 Mineral 2 Mineral 3 Mineral 4 Mineral 5 Mineral 6 Mineral 7

Color White Gold Green White PinkWhite&

GoldWhite

Green/Blue/&pink

Streak White Black White White White White White Brown

Luster Shiny Pearly Dull Shiny Shiny Shiny DullShiny Specs

Specific Gravity

3.18 5.1 2.7 2.7 3.9 2.7 2.7 2.7

Cleavage & Fracture

Cleavage Fracture Fracture Cleavage Fracture Fracture Cleavage Cleavage

Hardness 4 4 3 3 9 7 3 3

Acid No No No Active No No No No

Reaction Reaction Reaction Bubbles Reaction Reaction Reaction Reaction

Part 2: Naming the Minerals

Name the minerals below. Then, insert a percentage of how certain you are in your identification. Finally, explain your percentage of certainty: What was confusing about this mineral? What other minerals do you think it could be?

Remember, the minerals in the virtual lab include seven of the following: borax, calcite, corundum, graphite, gypsum, orthoclase feldspar, pyrite, quartz, talc, and topaz.

Identification of Mineral Percent Certain Explanation of Certainty

Example: Fluorite 80% certain

I am almost certain this mineral is fluorite, but I am not complete sure. Fluorite and gypsum are both white, shiny, have white streaks, cleave, and show no reaction to acid. However, the specific gravity of this mineral is 3.18, which is higher than gypsum, so I am pretty sure it is fluorite.

Mineral 1: Borax

80%

I am almost certain this is Borax. The reason as to why I am not completely sure is that not all of my findings matched up with my Mineral Identification Reference Sheet. I was wrong about the luster.

Mineral 2: Talc 90%I am pretty sure this is Talc because most of my findings match up with my Mineral Identification Reference Sheet.

Mineral 3: Calcite100%

I am 100% certain this is calcite because this was the only mineral that actively bubbled, and fizzed. Also everything else I observed was correct

Mineral 4: Corundum100%

I know this is Corundum because all of my finding I recorded matched up with my Mineral Identification Reference Sheet

Mineral 5: Quartz80%

I am only 80% certain because I saw gold in the minerals color, as well as white, but gold isn’t listed on the Mineral Identification Reference Sheet.

Mineral 6:Gypsum75%

I am not as sure about this mineral because the luster I saw was dull, not shiny. I also had my hardness recorded at 3.

Mineral 7: Graphite

95%

I am pretty sure this is Graphite, because for 1, I have seen it before, and pretty much all of my finding match up with my Mineral Identification Reference Sheet, except I see more colors than what is listed.