Study Guide: Quiz #3 (Rocks, Minerals and Soil)
Fertilizer: When soil does not contain
enough of potassium, phosphorus, or
nitrogen, fertilizers containing these
chemicals are sometimes added to the
soil.
Nutrients:
Potassium (K)
Phosphorus (P)
Nitrogen
(N)
Practice Question: Your soil is lacking in nitrogen and potassium, but has high
amounts of phosphorus, which fertilizer should you pick to help your soil?
Fertilizer
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
A
5
5
15
B
15
5
15
C
15
5
15
Describing rocks and minerals:
Properties: Luster, Transparency, Crystal Shape, Crystalline Structure, Streak color,
Reaction to acid, Light refraction, Hardness (Mohs Hardness Scale))
Luster: describes how a mineral appears to reflects light, and how brilliant or dull the
mineral is.
Translucent- can through a little bit
Brilliant- reflects lots of light, very shiny
Transparent- can see right through it
Glassy- reflects some light, somewhat shiny
Opaque- can’t see through it
Dull-does not reflect light, not shiny
Mohs Hardness Scale: Minerals with higher numbers can scratch minerals with
lower numbers. This is a property that we test to figure out what mineral we may
have.
o Talc - 1 (softest)
o Diamond - 10 (hardest)