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1. SCI 245, Week 1, Assignment: Minerals
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 1-7
Tests Example Mineral 1 Mineral 2 Mineral 3 Mineral 4 Mineral 5 Mineral 6 Mineral 7
Color White Gold Green White Pink Pink White Black
Streak White Black White White White White White Brown
Luster Shiny Dull Pearly Shiny Dull Shiny Shiny Pearly
Specific
Gravity
3.18 Abt 5.1 Abt 2.8 Abt 2.7 Abt 2.6 Abt 2.7 Abt 2.4 Abt 2.2
Cleavage &
Fracture
Cleavage Fracture Fracture Cleavage Cleavage Fracture Cleavage Fracture
Hardness 4 3.1-5.4 1-2.9 1-2.9 3.1-5.4 6.1-10 1-2.9 1-2.9
Acid
No
Reaction
No
Reaction
No
Reaction
Active
Fizz
No
Reaction
No
Reaction
No
Reaction
No
Reaction
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2. 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: 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
Example: Fluorite 80% certain
I am almost certain this mineral is fluorite, but I am not
complete sure. Fluorite and gypsum are both white, shiny,
have white streaks, 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
85% Certain
I found the mineral was dull and the hardness was
different, but the rest of the tests performed on the mineral
told me that it had to be Pyrite. There was no other
mineral that it could have been with the tests that were
performed and the results that I got.
Mineral 2: Talc
90% Certain
I am highly sure of the substance and the only difference I
found in this mineral and the chart was the hardness of
the substance. I did not see any other mineral listed that
had the amount of similarities that these did.
Mineral 3:Calcite 95% Certain I am very certain of this mineral. All of the tests performed
on this substance were completely the same results as
the reference sheet. I am leaving a little room for error
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3. though by not saying I am 100% certain.
Mineral 4:Orthoclase Feldspar
95% Certain
I am very sure of this substance as well. I did not see any
of the other minerals that were remotely close to the
results of these tests.
Mineral 5:Corundum
80% Certain
I am slightly sure of this mineral. The only concern I truly
had about this one was the weight of the mineral. There
was a large difference in the weight that I observed and
what it should be. I do however believe that all of the other
tests confirmed it was Corundum.
Mineral 6:Gypsum
95% Certain
I am very certain of this mineral. I did not see any other
minerals that it could have possibly be with all of the tests
that were performed and the observations I made.
Mineral 7:Graphite
70% Certain
This mineral confused me. I believe that most of the tests
pointed to this mineral, but the issue I found was that it did
not react to acid which it should have. I still believe there
are plenty of similarities and I do not know what other
mineral it could be with the tests that were performed.
In order for a substance to be considered a mineral they have to contain the following:
1. Naturally occurring solid
2. Formed by inorganic processes
3. Characteristic crystal structure
4. Specific chemical composition
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4. There are 6 different methods of determining minerals, luster, color, streak, cleavage, hardness, and crystal form and
habit. Color is the color of the mineral in its natural state, the luster of the mineral is the amount of light it reflects, the
streak is the color it makes when pulled across another surface, the cleavage is the way the mineral breaks when
busted, the hardness is how easily you can scratch the outside of the mineral, and the crystal form is how the outside
of the mineral actually forms. There are many different ways that you can determine what the mineral is and what
classifies it as a mineral. Rocks really do not have these characteristics therefore they are easily weeded out from the
minerals. They do not have the luster, streak, or color that minerals have.
GLG 101