GROUP 2

INTRODUCTION
Numerous fields of study such as geology, petrophysics, geophysics, materials science, geochemistry, and
geotechnical engineering are interested in the physical characteristics of rocks. Geotechnical engineers
investigate the properties of rock materials that will be used to build structures including buildings, dams,
tunnels, bridges, and underground storage vaults.

Since rocks are aggregates of mineral grains or crystals, the characteristics of the various constituent
minerals have a significant role in classifying the rocks and determining the rock characteristics.

Rocks are classified into three groups based on how these rocks are formed: igneous, sedimentary, and
metamorphic rocks. Rocks are also grouped based on their physical and chemical properties
(Argillaceous rocks, Calcareous rocks, and Siliceous Rocks). There are properties either chemical or
physical that can be observed in a few rock types and some are only observed to one group or category of
rocks. These properties are considered in classifying and determining rocks.

The properties of rocks can be determined or measured through numerous of tests. In this group activity, we
have conducted four (4) tests namely hardness (scratch) test, color streak test, acid test, and magnetic
test.
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HARDNESS
TEST
Minerals are scaled in range from 1 to 10, with 1
being the softest and 10 hardest. The method of
determining hardness is the scratch test. Fingernails
have a hardness of 2.5, penny 3.0, nail 5.5

A scratch test is a determination of a mineral’s

hardness by scratching it against a tool or other
mineral with known hardness. A scratch test is based
on the Mohs scale of minerals’ relative hardness.
MATERIALS
1) Five (5) rock samples
2) Scratching material (fingernail, brass coin, nail, knife blade)

PROCEDURES
1) Prepare rock samples and scratching tools or materials.
2) With the use of fingernail, scratch rock sample 1 and observe result. If scratchable, record the
data.
3) If the sample isn’t scratchable with fingernail, use brass coin and observe result. If scratchable,
record the data.
4) If the sampl e isn’t scratchable with brass coin, use nail and observe result. Record the data
once scratchable.
5) If the sample isn’t scratchable with nail, use knife blade and observe result. Record the data if
scratchable. If not, then the rock sample has a hardness greater than 6.5

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Rock Samples Scratch Test Mohs Relative Hardness

1 Scratchable with nail Greater than 3 but less than 5.5

2 Scratchable with knife blade Greater than 5.5 but less than 6.5

3 Scratchable with nail Greater than 3 but less than 5.5

4 Not scratchable with any of the scratching Greater than 6.5

materials

5 Scratchable with nail Greater than 3 but less than 5.5

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Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3

Sample 4 Sample 5

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20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 7
MAGNETISM TEST

Magnetic testing is an important method in

geology, allowing researchers to learn about
the physical and chemical properties of rocks.
Magnetism testing in rocks is used to
determine the magnetic properties of the rocks
such as having strong magnetic property, weak
magnetic property, or no magnetic property at
all.

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MATERIALS
1) Rock Samples Rock Samples Magnetism Test

2) Magnet
1 YES

2 WEAK

PROCEDURES 3 NO

1) Prepare rock samples and a magnet. 4 NO

2) Place the rock sample near the magnet and

observe if the magnet will attract the rock. If
5 NO
not, try to stick them together to determine
the least magnetism of the rock.

3) Record the data.

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Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3

Sample 4 Sample 5
10
STREAK
TEST
A streak test is one tool that geologists use to determine the
identity of a mineral. The “streak” is the color of the mineral
in powdered form. Some minerals will have a streak color
that is the same as the outer color of the mineral while others
will have a streak color that is very different from the outer
color.

11
MATERIALS
1) Rock Samples

2) Tile

PROCEDURES
1) Gather the rock samples and a tile.

2) Scratch or rub the rock sample across the tile. You

may have to scratch really hard to see the color. The
harder the rock, the harder you will have to scratch.

3) Observe the color on the tile.

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Rock Samples Color Color Observed on Streak
(Tiles)

1 Dark Gray, orange, brown Grayish White

2 Maroon Dove (shade of gray)

3 Orange White

4 White with dark gray Alabaster (shade of white)

5 Creamy white White

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Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3

Sample 4 Sample 5
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 ACID TEST

The acid test is used to examine if a rock or

mineral sample reacts with the acid. If it does,
it means a carbonate mineral is present. Thus,
the acid test is a valuable method for
identifying and classifying minerals and rocks.

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MATERIALS
1) Rock Samples Rock Samples Reactivity to Acid
2) Vinegar
1 Very Weak

PROCEDURES 2 Very Weak

1) Prepare the materials. 3 Weak

2) Place each different rocks in a cup.
4 No reaction observed
3) Fill each cup with vinegar and try to
cover each rock at least halfway.
5 High
4) Allow several minutes to pass and
observe what happens.

5) Record the results.

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Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3

Sample 4 Sample 5

17
SAMPLE 1
The rock is most likely an igneous or metamorphic
rock. It has a hardness greater than 3 but less than 5.5.
The high magnetism observed also supports this idea, as
some igneous and metamorphic rocks contain magnetic
minerals like magnetite, which excludes it from
sedimentary rocks (non-magnetic). The dark gray and
orange-brown color of the rock and its gray streak
suggests that it may be composed of minerals like
quartz, mica, or feldspar, which are common in
metamorphic rocks. The very weak reaction with acid
emphasizes that it contain very small amount of
carbonates or maybe none at all. We believe that it
requires more tests to specifically identify this rock.

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SAMPLE 2
The rock is most likely an igneous rock. It has a Mohs
hardness greater than 5.5 but less than 6.5 (igneous or
metamorphic), suggesting that it is a relatively hard rock.
The maroon color of the rock is consistent with igneous
rocks. The weak attraction to a magnet indicates that the rock
may contain magnetic minerals, but they are not as abundant
as in other types of rocks. The very weak acid test result
suggests that the rock is not highly reactive to acid, which is
consistent with some types of igneous rocks. One observable
characteristic of igneous rocks is they mostly possess holes
that were caused by rapid cooling of lava, trapping air and
gas bubbles inside. This characteristic is observed in the rock
sample.

19
SAMPLE 3
The rock is most likely sedimentary rock. It has a
Mohs hardness greater than 3 but less than 5.5,
which suggests that it is relatively soft,
consistent with many sedimentary rocks. The
lack of magnetism supports the idea that it is a
sedimentary rock, as these rocks are generally
not magnetic. The orange color of the rock is
also consistent with some types of sedimentary
rocks that can be formed from iron-rich minerals
that give them a reddish or orange color.
Additionally, the weak acid test result suggests
that the rock may contain calcium carbonate,
which is a common mineral in sedimentary rocks.

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20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 21
 SAMPLE
4
The rock is most likely a metamorphic rock. It has a Mohs
hardness greater than 6.5, which suggests that it is a hard
rock, consistent with many metamorphic rocks. The lack of
magnetism also supports the idea that it is a metamorphic
rock. The white color of the rock with dark gray suggests
that it may have undergone some form of metamorphism,
causing the original minerals to recrystallize and change
their appearance. The alabaster color streak observed on a
tile suggests that the rock's streak color is also light. The
fact that the rock does not react to acid suggests that it is
not composed of minerals such as calcite, typically found
in sedimentary rocks that can react with acid.

22
 SAMPLE 5
The rock is most likely a sedimentary
rock. It has a hardness greater than 3 but
less than 5.5, which suggests that it is
relatively soft, consistent with many
sedimentary rocks.
The lack of magnetism also supports the idea that it
is a sedimentary rock. The creamy white color of the
rock and white streak observed on a tile suggest that
the rock is composed of minerals such as quartz,
feldspar, or calcite, which are common minerals
found in sedimentary rocks. The high reaction with
acid also supports the idea that the rock may contain
calcium carbonate, a common mineral in
sedimentary rocks.
Possible rock type: Limestone
Limestone are yellow or white in color that have white streak or white colored in powdered form.
Limestone is a calcium-carbonate sedimentary rock. Calcium has a hardness between 3 and 4 on the Mohs Scale
of Hardness. 23
 References
Britannica (n.d.) Rocks. Retrieved from
https://www.britannica.com/science/rock-geology/Physical-properties

Rybnikova O. (February 15, 2022). Performing Scratch Test on Rocks.

Retrieved from https://howtofindrocks.com/how-to-do-a-scratch-test-on-rocks/

MinimeGeology (September 17, 2009). How to Perfom a Mineral Streak

Test. Retrieved from
https://www.minimegeology.com/blog/2009/09/17/how-to-perform-a-mineral-strea

THANK YOU!
k-test/

Rock Acid Test Geology Science Experiment. Retrieved from (2021)

https://www.sciencefun.org/kidszone/experiments/rock-acid-test-geology-science-e
xperiment
/

Oregon State University (n.d). Igneous Rocks Lesson #12. Retrieved from
https://volcano.oregonstate.edu/igneous-rocks-lesson-12

Marva Marble (2023). Natural Stone Fact Sheet for Designers. Retrieved
from marvamarble.com/inspiration/blog/2018/06/Natural-Stone-Fact-Sheet-for-
Designers.html#:~:text=RAINBOW%20SANDSTONE
%20LIMESTONE-,Hardness%20Scale%20And%20Durability%3A,of%20harness
%2C%20similar%20to%20marble. 24