Geology 12 - Unit 2A (PLO B2) - Earth Materials
1. Read
A. Earth: Then and Now “Minerals pp. 13 – 32
-Questions p. 31: 3, 4, 8
B. Lab Manual in Physical Geography pp. 47 - 61
-Questions pp. 59 - 60: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 (OMIT 8B!), 9, 10
2. Know
Terms ‘Student Achievement’ p. 42
3. Powerpoint
4. Project
Take notes, also see Toews’ Website
A. Mineral Identification Lab PLO B2.3
- Create ‘Identify 10 Minerals’ Test with Key
- Use Hand Out ‘Mineral Data Chart’ Figure 2.26 (page 46)
B. Describe, Identify & Classify Minerals PLO B2.4
- See other side
Learning Expectations:
-be able to contrast and compare different types of minerals based on what ‘family’ they
belong to
-be able to identify where on earth a mineral comes from and its use(s)
Method:
-choose 3 types of minerals (one most be a silicate, two must be nonsilicates)
Silicates: choose from: Basic tetrahedral, single-chain silicates/pyroxenes, doublechain amphiboles, sheet silicates, framework silicates
Nonsilicates: see PLO B2 & page 28 of Earth: Then and Now
-complete 3 fact sheets (see example below) and email to Michael.toews@yesnet.yk.ca
Evaluation:
1. (7 marks)
All facts present: 1. Name, 2. Two Common Minerals, 3. Atomic Structure w. picture, 4.
Basic Definition, 5. Facts of Minerals (see examples), 6. Map of World, 7. Interesting
Facts
2. (3 marks)
General Reader Friendly: easy to read, organized, all components presented
10 marks/page = 20 marks total
5. Test
A. ‘Identify 10 Minerals’ Test (See Project A. above)
B. Test: based on all of the above
Describe, Identify & Classify Minerals PLO B2.4
1. NAME: Basic Silicate, silica tetrahedron (SiO4)
2. TWO COMMON MINERALS: olivine, garnet
3. ATOMIC STRUCTURE:
Describe, Identify & Classify Minerals PLO B2, box 4
4.BASIC DEFINITION: Silicates are the largest group of minerals in the earth’s crust. All are compounds
of oxygen and silicon. There are many ways in which the SiO4 tetrahedra can be assembled to build neutral
silicate mineral structures. This balance is often created by Iron or Magnesium. These structures are the
major rock-forming minerals.
5. OLIVINE: (Mg, Fe)2SiO4
LUSTER: Nonmetallic
HARDNESS: 7
STREAK: White
CLEAVAGE: Absent
COLOUR: Green, to Brown
CRYSTAL SHAPE:
FRACTURE: Choncoidal
OTHER PROPERTIES:
SG = 3.3, non-magnetic
COMMON USES:
Gemstones, refractory sands
and abrasives
FOUND: Red Sea, Myanmar
7. INTERESTING FACTS: Olivine is a very
common mineral, but it rarely occurs in sizes larger
than microscopic grains. For this reason, larger
specimens are rare and sought after. Olivine is
also found in meteorites.
5. GARNET: (Ca,Mg,Fe)3(al,
Fe)2Si3012LUSTER: Vitreous to Resinous
HARDNESS: 6 – 7.5
STREAK: White
CLEAVAGE: Absent
CRYSTAL SHAPE: Cubic
FRACTURE:
OTHER PROPERTIES: SG = 3.1 – 4.3
COMMON USES: Gemstones, Water
Filtration Units
FOUND: Madagascar, Turkey, U.S.A
6.