EQ: How are Minerals Identified?
Properties of Minerals
A mineral is a ________________________, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite ______________
Each mineral has its own set of specific physical properties that can be used to identify it. Fill in the table below with the
physical properties in the same order as listed on the PowerPoint
Physical Property
Definition
Mohs scale ranks ten minerals from
softest to hardest. Resistance to
scratch
1.
2.
3.
the color of a mineral in its powdered
form
4.
how a mineral reflects light from its
surface
5.
the ratio of the mass to the volume of
a substance
six groups of structures based on the
number and angle of the crystal faces
6.
7.
breaking apart along curved or
irregular surfaces
8.
An ______________________ is a substance composed of a single kind of atom.
A compound is two or more elements combined so that the elements no longer________________________________
Special Properties
Fluorescence – glow under ________________________
________________________ – reacts to ________________________
________________________ – natural magnets that attract iron.
Taste – ex._________________________________
________________________ – some can cause a double image
________________________ – minerals that contain _______________________
Moh’s Hardness Scale
Talc
1
___________________
Gypsum
2
fingernail can _____________
Calcite
3
___________ by copper penny
_______
4
easily scratched by steel knife
Apatite
5
can be scratched by _____________
Orthoclase
6
can scratch _______________
Quartz
7
can scratch steel
Topaz
8
____________
Corundum
9
can scratch ____________
_________
10
hardest known mineral
EQ: How are minerals formed, mined, and used?
The Formation of Minerals
_________________form in a variety of environments in Earth’s crust.
Each of these environments has a different set of _______________________________________________
The environment in which a mineral forms determines the ___________________________________
____________________in which minerals form may be on or near Earth’s surface or deep ________________________.
Mining
An ___________________ is the natural material large enough and pure enough to be mined for ___________________
______________________ are removed from the ground by one of two methods-surface mining and subsurface mining.
Surface mining is used to remove mineral deposits on or near the Earth’s surface. ( List the three ways )
The Use of Minerals
____________________ have shiny surfaces, do not let light pass through them, good conductors of heat and electricity.
__________________ have shiny or dull surfaces, may let light pass through them, and are good insulators of electricity.
__________________ are highly valuable minerals because of their beauty and rarity rather than their usefulness.
______________ is the most important characteristic of a ____________________.
The more attractive the color is, the more __________________________________.
Mass of a gem is expressed in a unit known as a ________________. One carat is equal to ____________________