Transcript • Can we mine for diamonds on the Titan’s football field? • What about for talc, quartz, or minerals? • Are minerals.

• Can we mine for diamonds on the Titan’s football field?
• What about for talc, quartz, or minerals?
• Are minerals found anywhere in TN.
Geological Investigation:
Determining the Properties of Minerals
What makes up rocks?
Rocks are made up of different grains or crystals.
These crystals can range in size and are called
minerals.
What is a mineral?
Minerals are inorganic compounds that form
naturally in the earth. Minerals are a solid element
or compound that has a definite composition with
a crystal shape.
How can we tell minerals apart from each other?
We will use these tests today to determine the identity of
unknown minerals.
• Hematite (We will use this to learn how to do the tests)
• Talc
• Rose Quartz
• Smoky Quartz
• Halite
• Galena
• Magnetite
• Graphite
• Feldspar
• Calcite
• Gypsum
The Streak Test
“Streak” is the color of a mineral when it is ground
down to a powder.
The Hardness Test
Hardness
Everyday Equivalnt Testers
1
No equivalent
2
Fingernail
3
Copper
4
Iron
5
Glass
6
Penknife Blade
7
Steel File
8
Sandpaper
9
No equivalent
10
No equivalent
Hardness is determined
based on what a mineral
will or will not scratch
using Mohs Scale.
Cleavage/Fracture Test
Minerals break in different ways, depending on how strong
the bonds are between the atoms of the mineral.
When a mineral cleaves in one direction, it appears as
smooth surfaces. When a mineral fractures in multiple
directions, it breaks unevenly along curved or irregular
surfaces.
The Luster Test
The way a mineral reflects light is called luster.
Metallic Luster: reflects light well
shiny
looks like metal
Non-Metallic Luster: does not look like metal
classified as dull, glassy, or pearly
Magnetism Test
What are the
identities of
your 2
unknowns??
The Acid Test
One group of minerals is called carbonates, which contain
carbon and oxygen. They tend to be fairly soft and whitish
in appearance.
Acid makes carbonates fizz and bubble.