Earth Science

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 2 – Earth Sci Subject Teacher:

PERFORMANCE TASK
Physical Properties of Minerals

NAME:__________________________________________ SCORE:_________
YEAR AND SECTION:_____________________________ DATE: _________

OBJECTIVES
a. To determine the different properties of minerals that composes rocks.
b. To be familiarized with some minerals according to their different properties.

MATERIALS
◦ Newspaper ◦ Vinegar
◦ 5 different rock samples ◦ A piece of broken clay flower pot
◦ Hand lens (only if available) ◦ Piece of glass
◦ Steel knife
◦ Medicine dropper/spoon ◦ Small hammer

PROCEDURES
Examine the rock samples. How can you differentiate one rock from another?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Rub one rock sample at a time on the broken piece of clay pot.
a. What do you see on the pot?
Answer: ____________________________________________________________________________
b. What is the color?
Answer: ____________________________________________________________________________
c. Is the color of the mark the same as the color of the rock sample which you have
rubbed?
Answer: ____________________________________________________________________________

2. Scratch each rock sample with your thumbnail. Did your thumbnail leave a mark on the rock?
3. If your thumbnail did not leave a mark on the rock, scratch the rock with a piece of glass. If no
mark results, scratch the rock sample with the steel knife. Fill in the table.

ROCK SAMPLE THUMBNAIL GLASS STEEL KNIFE

Rock sample 1

Rock sample 2

Rock sample 3

Rock sample 4

Rock sample 5

a. What property of the rock are you testing when you try to scratch it with different
things?
Answer: _______________________________________
b. How will you describe the rock samples scratched by your thumbnail?
Answer: _______________________________________
c. How will you describe the rock samples scratched by the piece of glass?
Answer: _______________________________________
 Earth Science
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 2 – Earth Sci Subject Teacher:

d. How will you describe the rock samples scratched by the steel knife?
Answer: _______________________________________
e. Which of these rocks is the softest? ______________________________
f. Which of these rocks is the hardest? _____________________________

4. Line your work table with newspapers to protect it from the acid. Place the rock samples in a
row on the newspaper. Put a drop or more of the acid on each rock sample. Use a hand lens
in observing the rocks while making the test. (If lens is not available make sure to have a well-
lighted place.)
a. In which rock sample do bubbles for,? _______________________________________________
b. In which rock samples do bubbles not form? _________________________________________
c. What does bubbling tell about the rock samples?
Answer: ____________________________________________________________________________

5. Examine one rock with a hand lens. (If none, examine the rock under the sun.) Try breaking it.
Observe how it breaks. Does the rock break into small uneven pieces or regularly shaped
pieces or thin sheets?
Answer: _______________________________________

DOCUMENTATION
Paste your documentation below showing the results of the Activity. Make sure to label the pictures
properly.