Overview Sheet
Chapter 4
Minerals
Essential Questions: How do properties of minerals and rocks affect their classification and use?
How does the geology and mineralogy of Virginia affect its economy?
Vocabulary
Mineral
crystals
silicates
carbonates
oxides
mineralogist
Streak
luster
cleavage
fracture
Moh’s Hardness Scale
Density
SOL
SOL 4 The student will investigate and understand how to identify major rock
forming and ore minerals based on physical and chemical properties. Key
concepts include:
a) hardness, color and streak, luster, cleavage, fracture, and unique properties; and
b) uses of minerals.
Objectives
ES.4.1 Identify minerals by their physical properties such as hardness, color and streak, luster, cleavage, fracture,
and other unique properties.
ES.4.2 Describe the uses of minerals.
Review: Homework before the day of the test!
1. What is the definition of a mineral? Explain all the parts.
2. Explain the physical properties of minerals?
3. List and describe some rock forming minerals.
4. List and describe some ores and the minerals that are smelted from them.
5. List the 4 major elements found in the Earth’ crust.
6. What is the most abundant mineral group? What elements do they contain and name 2.
7. What does the carbonate contain and name a carbonate mineral.
8. What does the oxide mineral group contain and name an oxide mineral.
9. Name 2 minerals that are necessary in the human body.
10. Name at least 4 minerals that man uses and what they are used for.