Identifying Rocks and Minerals
Minerals
Rocks
Properties of Rocks and Minerals
Rocks and Minerals
100

A student found a rock in the desert that was mixed with clay, gravel, and sand.  What type of rock did the student find? 


A) Sedimentary

100

True or False: Rocks are made up of minerals.

True

100

What is the difference between a rock and a mineral.


Rocks have two or more materials and minerals have one material. Rocks are made from minerals.

100

Two minerals are the same hardness, color, and luster. What other test can be done to help identify the minerals?


Do a streak test.

100

When sediment is dropped off in a different location

What is deposition?

200

Why is color not a good identifier of a mineral?

Because a mineral can come in many colors.

200

What is  a hardness scale?


a scale that tests the hardness of a mineral by scratching other materials

200

How are rocks classified?


Rocks are classified by how they were formed.

200

If a scientist found a rock that was formed from heat and pressure, how would this rock be classified?

What is Metamorphic?

200

Diamond has a hardness of 10, a waxy luster, is pale blue in color, and streaks white. Using this information, why are diamonds widely used in the construction industry?


B) A diamond's hardness makes it a good tool to cut other materials.

300

A student is performing an investigation by scratching a mineral on a porcelain plate and examining the powder's color, as shown in the picture.



Which question is the student most likely trying to answer?


D) What is the rocks streak? 

300

What is luster?


how light reflects or interacts with the surface of a mineral

300

When a rock is weathered, eroded, deposited, compacted, and cemented, which type of rock is formed?


Sedimentary

300

The way a mineral looks when it breaks apart.

What is cleavage?

300

This is a naturally occurring, solid, that is non-living, mostly of one substance, and has a crystal structure.

What is a Mineral?

400

If all minerals are solids and have a rock like appearance, what five properties could be different about them?


What is Color, Luster, Shape, Streak, Hardness?

400

A scientist wants to identify what type of mineral she has. What are the 3 properties she should test for her to find out?


She should look at the streak, hardness, and luster

400

Granite is an igneous rock. It is formed by what processes.


Melting (molten magma) and cooling

400

Which way is the least useful when identifying a mineral?


color

400

This rock is found in places that have volcanos?


Igneous Rock

500

When sediments get compacted and cemented, like coquina rock, it forms what type of rock?


sedimentary rock

500

A diamond is measured as a 10 (the highest number) on the Mohs hardness scale for minerals. What mineral is a one?


Talc

500

a) When heat and pressure are applied to any rock, it forms what type of rock? b) What is one way that you can identify this kind of rock?


a) metamorphic rock and b) squiggly lines

500

What two properties can be best used to distinguish between pyrite and gold?

Hardness and streak

500

Mount Etna in Italy is the largest active volcano in Europe. The Italians that live near Mount Etna use rocks to make stairs and buildings. What type of rock are they using? 

Igneous Rock