Identifying Rocks and Minerals
A student found a rock in his backyard and wants to figure out whether it is a rock or a mineral. Which is NOT a question that we can ask to identify if the sample is a rock or mineral?
A) Is it all one color?
B) Could it have a fossil in it?
C) Is it smooth or rough?
D) How big is it?
D) how big is it?
True or False: Rocks are made up of minerals.
True
Tino found an object on the ground that has shells in it.
He wants to classify it correctly. Which of the following is true about the object?
A) It is likely a mineral because it has a rough texture.
B) It is likely a mineral because it has a pattern.
C) It is likely a rock because it is light in color.
D) It is likely a rock because it has fossils.
D) It is likely a rock because it has fossils.
Two minerals are the same hardness, color, and luster. What other test can students do to help identify the minerals?
A) They can drop the minerals to see how quickly they break.
B) They can rub the minerals together to see if one will scratch the other.
C) They can shine light on the minerals to see how much light they reflect.
D) They can rub the minerals on something hard to see what color streak they leave.
D) They can rub the minerals on something hard to see what color streak they leave.
You can compare minerals by looking at their?
D) all the above.
Which of the following best explains a hardness scale?
A) a scale that tests the hardness of a mineral by scratching other materials
B) a scale that tests the hardness of a rock by scratching other materials
C) a scale that tests the hardness of a mineral by being rubbed on other materials
D) a scale that tests the hardness of a rock by being rubbed on other materials
A) a scale that tests the hardness of a mineral by scratching other materials
How are rocks and minerals identified?
A) Rocks are identified by their color, and minerals are identified by their size.
B) Rocks are identified by how they were formed, and minerals are identified by the structure of their crystals.
C) Rocks are identified by where they are found, and minerals are identified by how they were formed.
D) Rocks are identified by their shape, and minerals are identified by their color.
B) Rocks are identified by how they were formed, and minerals are identified by the structure of their crystals.
Which of these would be the most helpful when identifying a mineral?
A) mass
B) color
C) shape
D) temperature
B) color
A fossil was found in a rock. What type of rock is it?
A) sedimentary rock
B) metamorphic rock
C) igneous rock
A) sedimentary rock
Pick the four characteristics of minerals that can be used to identify them.
A) shape
B) color
C) luster
D) texture
E) mass
F) size
G) hardness
H) weight
I) streak
B) color, C) luster, G) hardness, I) streak
When identifying a rock which would help the most?
A) where it was found
B) what minerals it is made up of
C) the size and mass of the rock
B) what minerals it is made up of
Which of the following is NOT a test to help classify a mineral?
A) luster test
B) hardness test
C) streak test
D) weight test
D) weight test
Carson is looking at the difference between pyrite and quartz. He notices that pyrite reflects light and quartz looks dull and glassy. Which property is Carson testing?
A. mass test
B. luster test
C. color test
D. hardness test
B) luster test
A scientist wants to find out what type of mineral she has. What is the best way for her to find out?
A) She could look at the color, hardness, and luster.
B) She could look at the weight, hardness, and color.
C) She could look at the color, weight, and size.
D) She could look at the shape, size, and hardness.
A) She could look at the color, hardness, and luster
Which of the following is NOT used to identify a rock?
A) color
B) hardness
C) weight
D) streak
C) weight
Which of these would be the least useful when identifying a mineral?
A) luster
B) hardness
C) shape
D) color
C) shape
When sediments get compacted and cemented it forms what type of rock?
A) sedimentary rock
B) metamorphic rock
C) igneous rock
A) sedimentary rock
When magma cools it forms what type of rock?
A) sedimentary rock
B) metamorphic rock
C) igneous rock
C) igneous rock
When heat and pressure are applied to any rock, it forms what type of rock?
A) sedimentary rock
B) metamorphic rock
C) igneous rock
B) metamorphic rock
Which question would help a scientist to sort rocks into groups based on their hardness?
A) How heavy is the rock?
B) Does the rock have a dark color?
C) Will the rock scratch another material?
D) Is the surface of the rock bumpy or smooth?
C) Will the rock scratch another material?