Study Guide: Minerals Test
Honors Earth Science Mr. Ertl
A. (33 points multiple choice): These vocabulary words appear within the multiple choice questions:
reflection, fracture, streak, hardness, glass, conchoidal fracture, cleavage, carbonates, oxides, silicates, silicon, oxygen, sodium, magnesium, calcium, earth’s crust, tetrahedron, Si-O bonds, specific gravity, luster, talc, calcite, Mohs scale, olivine, pyroxene, Si-O tetrahedra, density, specific gravity, pyroxene, amphibole, melting point, quantitative, qualitative, CaCO3, PbS, NaAISi3 08, rhombohedral, calcite, rocks, compound, elements, sheet structure, chain structure, 2000 minerals, metallic, non-metallic.
B. (20 points) TWO essays of 10 points each:
1. FELDSPARS and OLIVINE are both silicates. Tell HOW and WHY the specific properties of each are different. Use specific examples, such as IONS, tetrahedral structure, etc.
2. While MUSCOVITE and TALC both cleave in one plane, they have different properties. What do they have in common? WHY? How do they differ? Mention specific ions and structures (internet research can help).
C. Lab Stations (21 points)
You will go to eight lab stations. You will have 90 seconds at each station. There will be two or three minerals In a cup at each station. You will be asked questions such as:
CUP: Gypsum, Olivine, Galena
Questions: 1. Name the dark, metallic mineral in the cup.
2. Name the mineral in the cup that is the softest.
3. What mineral in the cup could be confused with APATITE?
The following minerals will be in the cups:
hematite. amphibole (hornblende), galena, plagioclase, corundum, pyrite, gypsum, olivine, sulfur, talc, calcite, halite, galena, orthoclase, apatite, muscovite, biotite, pyrite, pyroxene (augite), amphibole (hornblende), quartz, talc, corundum.
You may bring in the chart from your Lab 9 which gives mineral data. Do not attempt to memorize properties. Use this sheet during the test. NO OTHER WRITING on the table.
Minerals Practice: Identification of Properties
1. Find all of the minerals that are single element minerals. Name them
2. Find all of the minerals with a bright metallic luster. Name them.
3. Find all of the minerals that show basal cleavage. Name them.
4. Find all of the minerals that have 2 planes at 90 degrees cleavage. Name them.
5. Find all of the minerals that have a cubic crystal pattern. Name them. Which of these also have cubic cleavage?
6. Find all of the minerals that have hexagonal or rhombohedral crystal pattern. Name them. Do any of them cleave?
7. Find the minerals that have special properties: react to acid; produce a red or rust colored streak; are "greasy"; have conchoidal fracture. Name them.
8. Find the silicate minerals that share all of the four oxygens in their tetrahedron with oxygens in other tetrahedra. Include those that have some metal ions substituting for silicon atoms.
9. Find all of the minerals that are sulfides; oxides; carbonates; sulfates. Name them. Write each of their chemical formulas.
10. Find all of the minerals that are on Moh’s scale of hardness. Rank them from softest to hardest and give their hardness. Of course, not all of the ten minerals are in your box.
11. Find all of the rock-forming minerals. Name them.
12. Find all of the silicates. Name them.
13. Who can accurately name the most minerals in the shortest period of time? Take turns. If there is time we will determine a champion in each class. The RECORD stands at about 20 seconds!