1.0 OBJECTIVETo familiar with the physical properties of minerals in laboratory by hand.2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMESa) Students should able to identify various specimens of mineral by physical testing.b) Students should able to identify minerals content in rock formation.3.0 THEORYMost minerals can be easily identified by using the properties discussed in this chapter. In this lab, we will use what we have learned about mineral properties to identify some common rock-forming minerals.Later, we will learn about we can use simple tests and tools to identify common minerals.4.0 EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALSa) Minerals from Reference Set b) Hardness Pens Setc) Information & Hints d) Eye dropper bottle with dilute Sulphuric Acid (appx. 10% solution)e) Mineral Identification Chart 5.0 PROCEDUREStudents should learn to familiarize and observe the samples according by doing few physical tests and tabulate the results from the observation in the Table 1.1 attached for:a) Name of mineralb) Colorc) Lusterd) Hardnesse) Reaction with acid5.0 PROCEDUREPart A: Color 1. The name of minerals are identified.2. Each color of minerals are examinated by using the references color of mineral in the mineral book.3. The color of them are recorded in table.Part B: Streak1. To determine the streak of a mineral, it is gently dragged across the streak plate and the color of the powdered mineral is observed.If a mineral is harder than the streak plate, it will not produce astreak.2. The color of the powder is refered in the mineral book.3. The color of them are recorded in table..Part C: Luster1. To determine the luster of a mineral, took the mineral and torched it by using the flash light to identify whether it is metalic, submetalic, dull or viterous.2. The result is recorded.Part D: Hardness1. Hardness pen set is used to determine the hardness od the minerals. It is scratched with the lowest to the biggest size of pen gently till scratch has shown on the mineral’s surface.2. Wrote the number of pen once scratch has shown in table.Part E: Reaction with acid1. Carefully dropped one or two drops of sulphuric acid on each mineral,2. The result is recorded.
FACULTY : CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERINGNO. OF
PAGES:1/11
DEPARTMENT : GEOTECHNICAL & TRANSPORTATION
ENGINEERINGEDITION:LAB 1a
NO. OF CHECKING:
LABORATORY : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSIC
LABORATORYEFECTIVE DATE :
TOPIC : IDENTIFICATION OF MINERALS (LAB 1a)AMENDMENT DATE:
1.0 OBJECTIVETo familiar with the physical properties of
minerals in laboratory by hand.
2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMESa) Students should able to identify various
specimens of mineral by physical testing.b) Students should able to
identify minerals content in rock formation.
3.0 THEORYMost minerals can be easily identified by using the
properties discussed in this chapter. In this lab, we will use what
we have learned about mineral properties to identify some common
rock-forming minerals.Later, we will learn about we can use simple
tests and tools to identify common minerals.
4.0 EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALSa) Minerals from Reference Set b)
Hardness Pens Setc) Information & Hints d) Eye dropper bottle
with dilute Sulphuric Acid (appx. 10% solution)e) Mineral
Identification Chart
5.0 PROCEDUREStudents should learn to familiarize and observe
the samples according by doing few physical tests and tabulate the
results from the observation in the Table 1.1 attached for:
a) Name of mineralb) Colorc) Lusterd) Hardnesse) Reaction with
acid
Date : 19 March 2015
FACULTY : CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERINGNO. OF
PAGES:2/11
DEPARTMENT : GEOTECHNICAL & TRANSPORTATION
ENGINEERINGEDITION:LAB 1a
NO. OF CHECKING:
LABORATORY : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSIC
LABORATORYEFECTIVE DATE :
TOPIC : IDENTIFICATION OF MINERALS (LAB 1a)AMENDMENT DATE:
5.0 PROCEDUREPart A: Color 1. The name of minerals are
identified.2. Each color of minerals are examinated by using the
references color of mineral in the mineral book.3. The color of
them are recorded in table.Part B: Streak1. To determine the streak
of a mineral, it is gently dragged across the streak plate and the
color of the powdered mineral is observed.If a mineral is harder
than the streak plate, it will not produce astreak.2. The color of
the powder is refered in the mineral book.3. The color of them are
recorded in table..Part C: Luster1. To determine the luster of a
mineral, took the mineral and torched it by using the flash light
to identify whether it is metalic, submetalic, dull or viterous.2.
The result is recorded.
Part D: Hardness1. Hardness pen set is used to determine the
hardness od the minerals. It is scratched with the lowest to the
biggest size of pen gently till scratch has shown on the minerals
surface.2. Wrote the number of pen once scratch has shown in
table.
Part E: Reaction with acid1. Carefully dropped one or two drops
of sulphuric acid on each mineral,2. The result is recorded.
Date : 19 March 2015
TABLE 1.1.1IDENTIFICATION OF MINERALS
ROCK NAMECOLORSTREAKLUSTERHARDNESSREACTIONWITH ACIDSKETCH
Quartzcrystal
Vary lightgrayMediumgray
Dull
7No reaction
Garnet
LightBrownishgray
ModerateOrangepink
Metallic
8
No reaction
Pyrite
Yellowishgray
Black
Metallic
7
No reaction
Lead ore
Grayish black
Dark greenish gray
Metallic
8
No reaction
Microcline
Light brown
White
Submetallic
6
No reaction
Plagioclase
Dark grey
Dark grey
Metallic
7
No reaction
TABLE 1.1.2 IDENTIFICATION OF MINERAL
ROCK NAMECOLORSTREAKLUSTERHARDNESSREACTIONWITH ACIDSKETCH
Muscovite mica
Pale greenish yellowColorless Vitreous
2No reaction
Talc
Brownish whiteWhite Sub metallic
2No reaction
Beryl
Moderate brownColorlessSub metallic
8No reaction
Pyrite
Yellowishgray
Black
Metallic
7
No reaction
Microcline
Light brown
White
Submetallic
6
No reaction
Quartz(jade)Pale greenBluish whiteDull 5No reaction
TABLE 1.2.3 IDENTIFICATION OF MINERALS
ROCK NAMECOLORSTREAKLUSTERHARDNESSREACTIONWITH ACIDSKETCH
AugiteDark grayLight graySub metallic
6No reaction
Bauxite
Yellowish grayWhite Dull
3No reaction
Gypsum
Moderate orange pink
White
Sub metallic
2
No reaction
Hematite
Grayish brown
Moderate brown
Metallic
5No reaction
Pyrolusite
Bluish grayWhiteSub metallic
6No reaction
DolomitePinkish GrayWhiteDull4No reaction
TABLE 1.2.4 IDENTIFICATION OF MINERALS
ROCK NAMECOLORSTREAKLUSTERHARDNESSREACTIONWITH ACIDSKETCH
Pyrite
Yellowishgray
Black
Metallic
7
No reaction
Quartzcrystal
Vary lightgrayMediumgray
Dull
7No reaction
Talc
Brownish whiteWhite Sub metallic
2No reaction
Quartz(jade)Pale greenBluish whiteDull 5No reaction
Gypsum
Moderate orange pink
White
Sub metallic
2
No reaction
Bauxite
Yellowish grayWhite Dull
3No reaction
TABLE 1.2.5IDENTIFICATION OF MINERALS
ROCK NAMECOLORSTREAKLUSTERHARDNESSREACTIONWITH ACIDSKETCH
Plagioclase
Dark grey
Dark grey
Metallic
7
No reaction
Microcline
Light brown
White
Submetallic
6
No reaction
Muscovite mica
Pale greenish yellowColorless Vitreous
2No reaction
AugiteDark grayLight graySub metallic
6No reaction
Hematite
Grayish brown
Moderate brown
Metallic
5No reaction
DolomitePinkish GrayWhiteDull4No reaction
TABLE 1.2.6IDENTIFICATION OF MINERALS
ROCK NAMECOLORSTREAKLUSTERHARDNESSREACTIONWITH ACIDSKETCH
Lead ore
Grayish black
Dark greenish gray
Metallic
8
No reaction
Garnet
LightBrownishgray
ModerateOrangepink
Metallic
8
No reaction
DolomitePinkish GrayWhiteDull4No reaction
Pyrolusite
Bluish grayWhiteSub metallic
6No reaction
Talc
Brownish whiteWhite Sub metallic
2No reaction
Bauxite
Yellowish grayWhite Dull
3No reaction
FACULTY : CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERINGNO. OF
PAGES:9/11
DEPARTMENT : GEOTECHNICAL & TRANSPORTATION
ENGINEERINGEDITION:LAB 1a
NO. OF CHECKING:
LABORATORY : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSIC
LABORATORYEFECTIVE DATE :
TOPIC : IDENTIFICATION OF MINERALS (LAB 1a)AMENDMENT DATE:
6.0 ANALYSIS(a) MINERALS NAMESRefer to the samples prepared
(Mineral from reference set).(b) COLOURThe color of the mineral is
that seen by eye. Color may be influenced by impurities in the
sample, the light in the room or strong reflective surfaces.
Therefore, color is a general rather than specific indicator.
(c) STREAKStreak is the colour of a mineral in its powdered
form. We can observe streak when we scraped a mineral along a
roughened surface such as unglazed pottery (porcelain slab streak
plate), that mark left behind can be a characteristic feature of
the mineral. The streak is not necessarily the same as the color of
the mineral.
(d) LUSTRELuster is reflected from the surface of a mineral, the
amount of light is a function of the state of the surface. Luster
is described in terms of the degree of brightness.
MetallicLike polished metal
SubmetallicLess brilliant
Dulle.g. chalk
ViterousLike broken glass
(e) HARDNESSThe resistance of a mineral to abrasion (scratching)
is termed hardness. This property is determined by rubbing the
mineral to be identified against another mineral of known hardness.
One will stretch the other (unless they have the same hardness).
Geologists used a standard hardness scale, called the Mohs scale
developed by German Mineralogist Friedrich Mohs (1773 1839) which
assigns relative hardnesses to several common and a few rare and
precious minerals as given below.
Relative hardnessMineralsMineralogy
10DiamondCarbon
9CorundumAlumina
8TopazAluminium silicate
7QuartzSilica
6FeldsparAlkali silica
5ApatiteCalcium phosphate
4FluoriteCalcium fluoride
3CalciteCalcium carbonate
2GypsumHydrated calcium sulphate
1TalcHydrated magnesium silicate
(f) REACTION WITH ACID
When dilute sulphuric acid (typically 10%) is capped on to some
minerals a reaction takes place.
Date : 19 March 2015
FACULTY : CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERINGNO. OF
PAGES:10/11
DEPARTMENT : GEOTECHNICAL & TRANSPORTATION
ENGINEERINGEDITION:LAB 1a
NO. OF CHECKING:
LABORATORY : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSIC
LABORATORYEFECTIVE DATE :
TOPIC : IDENTIFICATION OF MINERALS (LAB 1a)AMENDMENT DATE:
7.0 QUESTION AND DISCUSSION A mineral is naturally occurring and
it is a solid. The mineral has a fixed chemical formula and an
orderly crystalline structure. The mineral successfully has be
classified based on their chemical composition. Silicatesare the
most widespread of the minerals. They are made up of oxygen and
silicon the number one and number two most abundant elements in the
earth's crust. They are in the form of a tetrahedron. In these
silicates, the silicon atoms are in fourfold coordination with
oxygen. This arrangement appears to be universal in these compound
and the bonds between silicon and oxygen are so strong. Thus, the
existence of a silicon tetrahedron will make a mineral as a
silicate mineral and its absence will make it as a non silicate
mineral. Non-silicate minerals are minerals dont contain silica
tetrahedron. They are generally can be classified asOxides and
hydroxides, carbonates and sulfates and halides.
Rock forming minerals are made up most of the common rocks of
the earths crust and mantle. Only a few are abundant in the most
common rock forming minerals. They are classified based on chemical
composition and structure. QuartzThese minerals are found in nearly
every geologically environment and at least component of almost
every rock type. They are crystallization from the magma took place
below 867c and stable practically over the whole range of
geological conditions. Quartz minerals are stable in both
physically and chemically, hence difficult mineral to alter. Common
color of quartz are commonly followed by colorless/white, purple,
pink, gray or brown to black. The luster is glassy to vitreous as
crystals. Cleavage is very weak, fracture is conchoidal, hardness
is 7 and streak is white. Mica Micas are a group of monoclinic
minerals and are characterized by perfect cleavage. Typically paper
thin, shiny, elastic cleavage plates. Only two common occurring
mica known as biotite (dark to black), usually less commercial
value and muscovite (colorless or slightly tinted). Abundant in
granite and in many metamorphic rocks and is also a significant
component of many sandstones.
Date: 19 March 2015
FACULTY : CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERINGNO. OF
PAGES:11/11
DEPARTMENT : GEOTECHNICAL & TRANSPORTATION
ENGINEERINGEDITION:LAB 1a
NO. OF CHECKING:
LABORATORY : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSIC
LABORATORYEFECTIVE DATE :
TOPIC : IDENTIFICATION OF MINERALS (LAB 1a)AMENDMENT DATE:
8.0 CONCLUSION As the conclusion, we have indentified there are
few of minerals that have their significance in construction
industry. Plus, minerals are nonrenewable natural resources that
are vital for the construction. The aim of sustainable mineral
development is to ensure mineral use is kept to a minimum amount
without having a negative impact on economic growth. We indentified
that gypsum is one of the mineral used wallboard and plaster
product. Moreover, some gypsum are used in Portland cement and used
in making of glass. Next, feldspar are used for making the tiles
for bathroom and building. For garnet, it is used in water
filtration, electronic components, ceramics, glass, jewelry, and
abrasives used in wood furniture and transport manufacturing. Last
but not least, we also indentified that dolomite are used in road
construction and traditional building construction (especially in
cement).
Date: 19 March 2015
