Minerals
Use the table below and your text to answer questions 1-10
Rock-forming minerals
Chemical classification
Mineral
Silicates
Orthoclase
Plagioclase
Amphiboles
Pyroxenes
Olivine
Micas
Clay minerals
Quartz
Carbonates
Calcite
Dolomite
Oxides
Hematite
Sulfates
Gypsum
Anhydrite
Halides
Rock salt
Elements
K, Al, Si, O
Al, Si, O, Ca, Na
Mg, Fe, Ca, Na, Al, Si, O
Al, Si, O, F, Mg, Ca, Na
Mg, Fe, Si, O
K, Al, Si, O, (OH), Mg, Fe
Al, Si, O, (OH)
Si, O
Ca, (CO3)
Ca, Mg, (CO3)
Fe, O
Ca, (SO4), H2O
Na, Cl
1. Draw a circle around each of the minerals listed below that does not belong to the silicate family.
Plagioclase
gypsum
mica
pyroxene
calcite
quartz
2. Write the names and symbols of the two elements found in all silicate minerals.
________________________________________________________________________
3. To which chemical classification group does dolomite belong? _________________________
4. Give an example of a mineral that contains the (CO3) group. ___________________________
5. From what element do the sulfates get their names? _________________________________
6. Give an example of an oxide. __________________________________________________
7. Which of the rock-forming mineral groups makes up the largest group of minerals in
Earth’s crust? ____________________________________________________________
8. Which of the rock-forming minerals contains the mineral gypsum? _______________________
9. What commonly used metal is extracted from hematite? _______________________
10. To which chemical classification group does rock salt belong? ____________________________
Mineral Identification
In the blank at the left, put a check mark next to each statement that agrees with the textbook.
_________ 1. The physical properties of a mineral can be seen or measured in some way.
_________ 2. The physical properties of a mineral make it possible to identify the mineral.
_________ 3. Any mineral can be identified by a careful check of one physical characteristic.
_________ 4. Hardness is a measure of how easily a mineral can be located.
_________ 5. Friedrich Mohs developed a scale which lists minerals according to their hardness.
_________ 6. Quartz will scratch a piece of copper, so quartz is harder than copper.
_________ 7. The luster of a mineral is described as metallic or nonmetallic.
_________ 8. The luster of chrome would be described as nonmetallic.
_________ 9. Color alone is not usually enough to identify a mineral.
_________ 10. When some minerals are rubbed across unglazed porcelain, they leave a streak of
powdered material.
_________ 11. Graphite is a mineral that does not leave a clear streak.
_________ 12. Topaz is a mineral that does not leave a clear streak.
_________ 13. Most minerals cannot be broken.
_________ 14. Mica shows clear cleavage.
_________ 15. Quartz is a mineral with a fracture.
Match the mineral names in Column I with the descriptions in column II. Write the letter of the correct description
in the blank on the left.
Column I
________ 16. Magnetite
________ 17. Pyrite
________ 18. Talc
________ 19. Calcite
________ 20. Gold
Column II
a. Light yellow color; metallic luster; hardness of 6;
greenish-black streak
b. Light color; fingernail will scratch it out of the rock;
leaves thick, powdery streak.
c. Black color; black streak; dull metallic luster; attracts
small iron objects.
d. Yellow color; scratched by copper penny; often found in
flakes.
e. White color; irregular shape; dull luster; hardness of 3;
fizzes in hydrochloric acid.
Table 1: Mohs’ Scale of Mineral Hardness
Mineral
Hardness
Field Test
1
Easily scratched by a fingernail
2
Can be scratched by a fingernail
3
Barely scratched by a copper penny
4
Easily scratched by a steel knife blade
5
Can be scratched by a steel knife blade
6
Easily scratches glass
7
Easily scratches glass and steel
8
Scratches quartz
9
No simple test
10
No simple test
Use the information given below to identify the mineral that belongs in the first column in the table. Write the
correct name next to the hardness number in column 2.
1. The hardest mineral on Mohs’ scale is diamond. The softest is talc.
2. Corundum can scratch all of the minerals on Mohs’ scale, except diamond.
3. Of the minerals listed on Mohs’ scale, gypsum can scratch only talc.
4. Quartz is slightly harder than feldspar. Both minerals can scratch glass, but only quartz can
scratch steel.
5. Quartz and calcite can look similar. In a field test, a copper penny could be used to scratch
calcite. However, the same penny could not scratch quartz.
6. Apatite can scratch fluorite, calcite, talc, and gypsum. Fluorite cannot scratch apatite, but it can
scratch talc, gypsum, and calcite.
7. Topaz can scratch all minerals on Mohs’ scale, except for corundum and diamond.