Identifying Rocks and Minerals
Minerals
Rocks
Properties of Rocks and Minerals
Rocks and Minerals
100
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?
100
True or False: Rocks are made up of minerals.
True
100
Pick the correct difference between a rock and a mineral.
A) A rock can be made up of minerals, but minerals cannot be made up of a rock.
B) A mineral can be made up of rocks, but rocks cannot be made up of minerals.
C) A rock always has the same shape, while minerals may be different in shape.
D) A mineral always has the same shape, while a rock may be different in shape.
A) A rock can be made up of minerals, but minerals cannot be made up of a rock.
100
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.
100
Tino finds this object on the ground. 
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.
200
You can compare minerals by looking at their?
- Color
- Hardness
- Texture
- All of the above
D) all the above.
200
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
200
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.
200
Which of these would be the most helpful when identifying a mineral?
A) mass
B) color
C) shape
D) temperature
B) color
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?
A) A diamond's luster makes it a good material for use in windows.
B) A diamond's hardness makes it a good tool to cut other materials.
C) A diamond's color can be used in paint to create a pale blue color.
D) A diamond's white streak can be used to make marks on buildings.
B) A diamond's hardness makes it a good tool to cut other materials.
300
A student is performing an investigation by scratching one rock on another rock, as shown in the picture.
Which question is the student most likely trying to answer?
A) What color are the rocks?
B) Which rock has a shinier luster?
C) What is the texture of the rocks?
D) Which rock is the hardest?
D) Which is the hardest rock
300
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
300
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
300
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
300
True or False: Rocks can be formed from the remains of plants.
False
400
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
400
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
400
Which of the following is NOT used to identify a rock?
A) color
B) hardness
C) weight
D) streak
C) weight
400
Which of these would be the least useful when identifying a mineral?
A) luster
B) hardness
C) shape
D) color
C) shape
400
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
500
When sediments get compacted and cemented it forms what type of rock?
A) sedimentary rock
B) metamorphic rock
C) igneous rock
A) sedimentary rock
500
A diamond is measured as a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale for minerals. What will happen when a diamond is scraped against a mineral with a lower hardness rating?
A) the diamond will chip
B) the diamond will increase in hardness
C) the diamond will scratch the other mineral
D) the diamond will lose hardness to the other mineral
C) the diamond will scratch the other mineral
500
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
500
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?
500
When magma cools it forms what type of rock?
A) sedimentary rock
B) metamorphic rock
C) igneous rock
C) igneous rock