Module 2.

1
Minerals
Objectives
a. describe how minerals are formed;

b. identify the different properties of mineral;

b. group the minerals based on chemical composition;
c. identify several common rock-forming minerals.

Lecture
 A mineral is a naturally occurring substance that is usually solid, crystalline, stable at room temperature and
inorganic. They are made up of one or some chemical elements and can’t be broken into smaller units.

 . Minerals make up most of the earth and are an important part of our everyday life. There are many thousands
of minerals recognized, but only about 30 are most common.

 Minerals are important because are required by the human body for nutrition. Specifically, minerals help
in bone and tooth formation, blood coagulation and muscle contraction.

 The diagram below shows the different physical properties and chemical compositions of minerals.

Minerals

Chemical Compositions
Physical Properties
(basis in grouping the Minerals)
Luster Hardness Oxides
Silicates +O2
(metalic and (Mohs Scale of + SiO4 (Hematite / Magnetite)
non-metalic) Hardness) (Quartz / Talc)
Crystal
Form/Habit Specific
Sulfates Sulfides
Gravity
(natural +SO4 +S2
shape) (Gypsum / Anhydrite (Pyrite / Galena)

Streak Color Carbonates Native Elements

+CO3 - Metals, Inter-metals &
(Calcite / Dolomite Semi-metals
Reaction to (Gold, Bismuth, Gold)
acid
Magnetism
Halides
Halogens
(Chlorine / Flourine)
Activity 1
Name: ___________________________________ Score: ________________________
Section: __________________________________ Date: _________________________

What makes a mineral a mineral?

A. Directions: Describe the mineral according to the following features:

Physical state under normal condition

Process of occurrence in Earth
Type of substance
Chemical composition
Structure of atoms

B. Directions: In the spaces provided, use numbers to show the correct order in which minerals form from
solutions at deep-sea vents.
_________ a. The water heats up.
_________ b. Water comes into contact with magma in the crust.
_________ c. Minerals in the water are dissolved.
_________ d. Minerals settle to the ocean floor.
_________ e. The mineral solution is cooled by contact with seawater.
_________ f. Minerals crystallize out of the solution.
_________ g. The mineral solution rushes upward and is released through chimneys.
_________ h. Water seeps down through cracks in the ocean floor.

C. Use the Mohs’ Scale of Hardness shown below to answer the questions that follow.

1. Copper can scratch talc and gypsum, but it cannot scratch

fluorite. What is copper’s hardness? _______________________

2. Graphite has a hardness of 1.5. What mineral could graphite

scratch?
______________________________________________________

3. Quartz has a hardness of 7. Name two minerals that can easily

scratch quartz.
______________________________________________________

4. The mineral azurite can barely scratch calcite and cannot

scratch fluorite. What is its hardness? ______________________

D. Directions: Use the table below and group the minerals according to their chemical composition. Refer also
from the concept map in answering.

Mineral Group
Calcite
Quartz
Halite
Hematite (specularite)/
Hematite
Graphite
Gypsum

____________________________________
_________________
_______________________________________ ________________
PARENT’S SIGNATURE
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OVERPRINTED NAME DATE
Activity 2
Name: ___________________________________ Score: ________________________
Section: __________________________________ Date: ________________________

Physical Properties of Mineral

Objective:
The purpose of this activity is to teach the student to identify minerals from its physical properties. This is
accomplished through observation and testing of the minerals involved.

Materials:
Graduated cylinder
Weighing scale
Watch glass
Penny
Streak plate (white unglazed porcelain or unglazed piece of tile)
Magnet / Metallic Clip
Eyedropper bottle of vinegar or 10% solution of
HCl (Hydrochloric acid) / Vinegar
Steel blade or knife

A. Determining density
1. Mass is the amount of substance in an object. Drag the mineral sample onto the
balance. Record the mass in grams, g.
2. Volume is the amount of space an object takes up. The volume is measured by
how much the water rises in a graduated cylinder. Drag the mineral into the
cylinder. Record the data in millimeters, mL.
3. Density is a measure of how light or heavy an object is for its size. To find the
the density of an object, divide the mass by the volume. Record the data in g/mL.

Results and Observation

Sample of Mineral Mass Volume Density

g mL g/mL
1.

2.

B. Luster, Shape, and Color

Minerals are made of atoms in repeating patterns and offer from crystals. The shapes of
crystals can help identify the mineral. Luster is the way the mineral`s surface reflects light. There are
many ways to describe luster. Color can sometimes be a useful way to identify a mineral, but it is not
always reliable.
Observe and record the data in the given table below. Use a magnifying glass and use a watch
glass to gather information.

Results and Observation

Sample of Mineral Luster Color Shape
1.

2.

C. Hardness
Hardness is a measure of how easily a mineral can be scratched. It is measured on a scale of 1
to 10 called the Mohs scale. If a mineral scratches a fingernail (harness 2.5) but not a penny(3.5), its
hardness is about 3.
Drag the mineral sample across each test object. Write the estimated hardness of the mineral.
Use your fingernail, a penny, and a glass plate/knife.
 Results and Observation
Sample of Mineral Scale number / Hardness
1.

2.

D. Streak
Streak is the color of a material`s powder. (Note: In some cases, the streak is colorless and
cannot be seen.
Use the streak plate or white unglazed porcelain or unglazed piece of tile to know the color of
the streak of each mineral.

Results and Observation

Sample of Mineral Streak
1.

2.

E. Magnetism
Magnetism is exhibited by some minerals. They are attracted to a magnet because of the
movement of electrons in their crystalline structure.
Use the magnet / metallic clip to ensure whether the minerals possess magnetism.

Results and Observation

Sample of Mineral Magnetism (Yes or No) F.

Acid Test
1. Magnetite

2. Mica/Topaz

A test that uses a drop of dilute (5% to 10%) Hydrochloric acid (HCl) or vinegar on a mineral and
watch bubbles of carbon dioxide gas to be released. The bubbles signal the presence of carbonate on
minerals.
Place the mineral inside the watch glass and put a drop of HCl or vinegar on the mineral. Use a
hand lens to observe and note if bubbles are formed.

Results and Observation

Sample of Mineral Fizzes in acid

(Yes/No)

1. Calcite

2. Dolomite

3. Galena

Guide Questions:
1. Why color is not a reliable test in identifying the mineral? How is it differ from the streak?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
2. What makes mineral magnetic? Name one mineral used in the activity that possess such
characteristics.
 ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

3. What causes the “fizz” when acid was added onto mineral? Under what group (base from mineral`s
composition) will this mineral fall?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
4. If an object is denser than a liquid, it will sink in that liquid. The density of water is 1.0 g/cm3. The
density of the liquid metal mercury is 13.5 g/cm3. Use the information below to tell if each of the
objects will sink or float in water and in mercury. Place a check mark in the correct columns.

Conclusion:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________ : _________________
PARENT’S SIGNATURE OVER PRINTED NAME DATE

References

https://www.teacherph.com/earth-life-science-teaching-guide/
https://www.qm.qld.gov.au/Find+out+about/Rocks/Types+of+minerals#.Xo8cWHIxXIU
https://www.earthsciweek.org/classroom-activities/mineral-identification
https://www.teachervision.com/minerals/what-are-some-other-ways-identify-minerals
Answer Key
Activity 1
What makes a mineral a mineral?

A. Directions: Describe the mineral according to the following features:

Physical state under normal condition solid

 Process of occurrence in Earth Naturally occurring
Type of substance inorganic
Chemical composition Fixed chemical composition
Structure of atoms Orderly structured atoms

B. Directions: In the spaces provided, use numbers to show the correct order in which minerals form from
solutions at deep-sea vents.
1. a. 8 e.
3 b. 6 f.
2 c. 7 g.
4 d. 5 h.
C. Use the Mohs’ Scale of Hardness shown below to answer the questions that follow.
1. 3
2. Talc
3. Possible answers: topaz, corundum, diamond
4. 3
5. 4
D. Directions: Use the table below and group the minerals according to their chemical composition. Refer also
from the concept map in answering.

Mineral Group
Calcite Carbonates
Quartz Silicate
Halite Halides
Hematite (specularite)/ Oxides
Hematite
Graphite Native elements
Gypsum Sulfates
 Activity 2
Physical Properties of Mineral
Guide Questions:
1. Why color is not a reliable test in identifying the mineral? How is it different from the streak?
- Many minerals are colored by chemical impurities.
- Weathering changes the surface of a mineral this is why color alone is unreliable,

- Streak is a more reliable property than color because streak does not vary. Minerals that are
the same color may have a different colored streak.

2. What makes mineral magnetic? Name one mineral used in the activity that possesses such
characteristics.
The mineral gets attracted to magnets due to the imbalance in the structural arrangement of the iron
ions. Iron is found in two principal ionic states called ferrous and ferric ions. A few minerals may not be
magnetic but are still attracted to magnets. Magnetite possesses such characteristics.
3. What causes the Fizz when acid was added onto mineral? What mineral shows the sound like fizz?
The Fizz (effervesce) or the bibbing sound is caused by the release of Carbon dioxide. This
happens when a mineral contains Calcium carbonate that reacts with hydrochloric acid. This reaction
happens once hydrochloric acid reacted to carbonate minerals because carbonate minerals are
unstable once in contact with hydrochloric acid. When acid begins to effervesce (fizz) on a specimen, a
reaction similar to the one shown below is taking place. Calcite and dolomite are a good example.

On the left side of this reaction, the mineral calcite (CaCO 3) is in contact with hydrochloric acid
(HCl). These react to form carbon dioxide gas (CO2), water (H2O), dissolved calcium (Ca++), and dissolved
chlorine (Cl--). The carbon dioxide bubbles that you observe are evidence that the reaction is taking
place. When that occurs, calcite or another carbonate mineral is present.

4. If an object is denser than a liquid, it will sink in that liquid. The density of water is 1.0 g/cm3. The
density of the liquid metal mercury is 13.5 g/cm3. Use the information below to tell if each of the
objects will sink or float in water and mercury. Place a checkmark in the correct columns.
Water Mercury
1. sink float
2. float float
3. sink float
4. float float
5. sink float
6. sink sink
Conclusion:
There are ways on how we could identify the properties of minerals. The acid test could be a great
way of identifying carbonate minerals. Using magnets could also be useful if minerals contain iron. Color is
indeed not a reliable way to identify and classify minerals, but the streak is better because not all mineral
colors would have the same color in their powder form. Mineral`s density could be measured using a
graduated cylinder and weighing scale. Luster could be possible as a way to see if a mineral is metallic or
non- metallic using a hand lens.
Spare Activities
What are some other ways to identify minerals? Lesson Review PART A Complete the following. 1. What is density?
____________________________________________________________________________

2. What mineral shows the property of magnetism? ______________________________________________

3. Name three minerals that are attracted to a magnet. ____________________________________________

4. a. What does the acid test tell you about a mineral?_____________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

b. What happens to the surface of a mineral if the acid test is positive? ___________________________

c. What are two minerals that contain calcium carbonate? _______________________________________

PART B Match each term to its definition. Write the letter of the correct definition in the space provided.

__________ 1. density __________ 2. acid test __________ 3. magnetic field __________ 4. carat

a. helps identify minerals according to whether they fizz b. g/cm3 c. measure of the purity of gold d. a force that acts on
objects containing iron, nickel, or cobalt

Skill Challenge Skills: predicting, classifying If an object is denser than a liquid, it will sink in that liquid. The density of
water is 1.0 g/cm3. The density of the liquid metal mercury is 13.5 g/cm3. Use the information below to tell if each of
the objects will sink or float in water and in mercury. Place a check mark in the correct columns. Water Mercury Object
Sink Float Sink Float 1. Aluminum (2.7 g/cm3) 2. Ice (0.90 g/cm3) 3. Steel (7.8 g/cm3) 4. Cork (0.2 g/cm3) 5. Lead (11.3
g/cm3) 6. Gold (19.3 g/cm3)

Answer Key

Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, Teacher’s Resources CD-ROM (c) by Pearson Education, Inc./Globe
Fearon/Pearson Learning Group. All rights reserved. Minerals and Their Properties

What are other ways to identify minerals? Lesson Review PART A 1. amount of matter in a given volume 2. magnetite 3.
iron, nickel, and cobalt 4. a. The acid test shows whether minerals contain calcium carbonate. b. The surface fizzes. c.
calcite and dolomite PART B 1. b 2. a 3. d 4. c Skill Challenge Students should place check marks in the following columns:
Water Mercury 1. sink float 2. float float 3. sink float 4. float float 5. sink float 6. sink sink