Mineral Density Lab
Name________________________HR___
Purpose: The purpose of this lab is to compare the density of different minerals.
Hypothesis: Based on what you know of these 3 minerals. write a hypothesis about which one
(pyrite, quartz and galena) will have the highest density.
I think _____________ has the highest density because _________________________
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Materials:

Graduated
cylinder
3 mineral
 Water
samples: pyrite,
 balance
quartz, galena
Procedure: As a group, write your own procedure for how you will test your hypothesis. Your
procedure should be a STEP-BY-STEP set of directions for how to do your lab!! You need to
have this checked by me before obtaining your materials! Remember:
Density =

Mass of Mineral
Volume of water displaced by the mineral
(Note: Density is expressed as g/cm3 as 1 mL of water has a volume of 1 cm3.)
1. Obtain materials.
2.______________________________________________________________________
3.______________________________________________________________________
4.______________________________________________________________________
5.______________________________________________________________________
6.______________________________________________________________________
7.______________________________________________________________________
8.______________________________________________________________________
Data: Create a data table to record the measurements you take and your final
calculations…your table needs to be labeled and have the correct units. You may not need to use
all of the spaces in this table.
Density
Name
in g/cm3
Quartz
g/cm3
Galena
g/cm3
Pyrite
g/cm3
Results & Interpretation of data:
1. Which mineral had the highest density? Lowest density?
I found ________________had the highest, while _________________ had the lowest
2. Why won’t the procedure used in this lab work for a substance that floats or one that
dissolves in water?
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3. Pyrite is sometimes called “fool’s gold” because its color and appearance is similar to real gold.
How could a scientist determine if a sample was real gold? (What is another determining test?)
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Conclusions: Write 2-3 complete sentences about the results of this lab. Be sure to relate back
to the hypothesis.
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