Mineral Identification Worksheet 1

GLG/101 Version 5

e Level Material
 Mineral Identification Worksheet 2
GLG/101 Version 5

Part 1: Recording Observations

In the chart below, record your observations of each test for the seven minerals. After you have completed all tests, name the minerals in Part 2 of
this worksheet. An example of how to fill out the chart is illustrated below.

Recorded Observations for Minerals 17

Tests Example Mineral 1 Mineral 2 Mineral 3 Mineral 4 Mineral 5 Mineral 6 Mineral 7

Color White gold green white pink white white gold white black green

Streak White black white white white white white brown

Luster Shiny shiny shiny pearly dull shiny pearly dull

Specific Gravity 3.18 5.1 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.65 2-3 2.2

Cleavage &
Cleavage fracture fracture cleavage fracture fracture cleavage fracture
Fracture

Hardness 4 3.1-5.4 1-2.9 1-2.9 3.1-6.0 6.1-10 1-2.9 1-2.9

active
No
Acid no reaction no reaction bubbling no reaction no reaction no reaction no reaction
Reaction
and fizz

Part 2: Naming the Minerals

Name the minerals below. Then, insert a percentage of how certain you are in your identification. Finally, explain your percentage of certainty:
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GLG/101 Version 5

What was confusing about this mineral? What other minerals do you think it could be?

Remember, the minerals in the virtual lab include seven of the following: borax, calcite, corundum, graphite, gypsum, orthoclase feldspar, pyrite,
quartz, talc, and topaz.

Identification of Mineral Percent Certain Explanation of Certainty

I am almost certain this mineral is fluorite, but I am not completely

sure. Fluorite and gypsum are both white, shiny, have white streaks,
Example: Fluorite 80% certain cleave, and show no reaction to acid. However, the specific gravity of
this mineral is 3.18, which is higher than gypsum, so I am pretty sure
it is fluorite.

Mineral 1: pyrite am certain that this mineral is Pyrite. This mineral has a
distinct color and streak to it that determined its
100 certain placement. The hardness being 5.1was also an indication
that this mineral is certainly pyrite. I am confident in my
answer

Mineral 2: talc Talc also had distinctive characteristics about it that determined its
100 certain classification. Such as its green color that was a big give away to me.I
am more than confident in my answer that this mineral is Talc.

Mineral 3:calcite The test that gave this mineral away was the acid test. The test
showed active bubbling and fizz which most or all the other minerals
100 certain did not have in common. As well as the color and pearl shine that
accompanied its characteristics. I am certain that this mineral is
calcite

Mineral 4:Orthoclase Feldspar This mineral fit every characteristic of the orthoclase feldspar. The
Distinct look of this mineral was a certainty that I had the mineral in
100 certain
the right classification. I am more than certain this is an orthoclase
feldspar

Mineral 5:Quartz 100 certain The hardness of this mineral helped me classify this as aquartz.It
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GLG/101 Version 5

was neither scratched by the penny or file. In this case the hardness
was 6.1-10 im sure i classified correctly

Mineral 6:Gypsum i classified the mineral a gypsum because it fit all the classification
almost spot on although you had borax and calcite this mineral
100 certain neither was dull or had an active bubbling and fizz this is what helped
me determine that the mineral is gypsum i am more than confident
that this is gypsum

Mineral 7: Graphite From my observation and test everything matches except the acid
test which tell me that this is more than likely graphite even though
100 certain
could also be that chance that it could not so i am very firm on my
decision on to name this graphite

Part 3: Summary

Write a summary answering the following:

What are the four requirements for a material to be classified as a mineral?

must be solid have a crystalline structure and naturally occurring and made of same material.

How do you differentiate between minerals?

by color streak luster specific gravity and cleavage and fracture hardness and acid test.

Briefly summarize the six methods to tell minerals apart.color of a mineral depends on its level of absorption of various wavelengths of light
streak. the color of the minerals powder when rubbed against a porcelain plate luste you see this when light is reflected off of the rock it is
classified from dull to glossy specific gravity the weight of mineral in water divided by the weight of the water cleavage and fracture cleavage looks
like a rough uneven brake while fracture is a clean break looking like smooth lines hardness determined by using the mohs scale usually
determined by objects scratching the surface of the mineral

Summarize the major differences between minerals and rocks.

mineral have a specific chemical composition while rocks are made of different types of minerals .