August 29, 2003

Outline Lab 1: Mineral ID

1. Definition of a mineral p. 37

a) Crystalline Solid

b) Specific composition (i.e. has a fairly definite chemical formula)

c) Unique set of physical properties

d) Inorganic and naturally occurring

e) Mineraloid – has amorphous structure

2. Crystal Form p. 40

a) Pyrite and Halite cubic habit

b) Calcite is rhombohedral

3. Luster p. 40

a) How a mineral looks in light

b) Metallic vs. Nonmetallic

4. Hardness p. 46

a) Moh’s scale

b) Talc – softest, Diamond – hardest

5. Cleavage p. 42

a) Determined by the strength of bonding between atoms in a mineral

b) Breaks along a set of specific planes

c) Muscovite – 1 plane, Halite – 3 planes

6. Fracture p. 42

a) Random breakage

b) Conchoidal – glass, obsidian

c) Splintery – asbestos

7. Color p. 39

a) Fluorite

b) Quartz

c) Sulfur

8. Streak p. 41

a) Color of the powder of a mineral when scratched against the streak plate

b) Hematite vs. other metallics

9. Specific Gravity p. 46

a) Heft, density

b) Galena vs. Graphite

10. Special Properties p. 46

a) Magnetism – Magnetite

b) Taste – Halite

c) Odor – Sulfur, Kaolinite, Sphalerite

d) Feel – Talc

e) Double refraction – Calcite

f) Reacts with Acid – Calcite