The Identification of Minerals
(Elementary, Middle, and High School)
(Robert S. Smith; July 3rd, 2006)

 
Sunshine State Standards:
  • Elementary-SC.A.1.2.4, SC.A 2.2.1, SC.D. 1.2.5, SC.H.1.2.3, SC.H.1.2.4 
  • Middle- SC.A.1.3.1, SC.D. 1.3.5, SC.H.1.3.1 (AA), SC.H.1.3.2 
  • High School- SC.D.1.4.4 
Objectives:
  • Students will learn that minerals can be identified and classified according to their physical characteristics
  • Students will learn that rock color (light/dark) is related to the chemical components within the Earth which vary according to depth 
Materials: Samples of minerals: * From Ward’s catalog
  1. Feldspar, var. Amozonite (46 H 5162)
  2. Quartz, var. Smokey (46 H 6597)
  3. Pyrite, (46 H 6447)
  4. Calcite, (46 H 1422)
  5. Fluorite (46 H 3112)
  6. Galena, (46 H 3332)
  7. Quartz, var. Milky (46 H 6547)
  8. Feldspar, var. Microcline (46 H 5127)
  9. Hornblende (46 H 0402)
  10. Mica, var. Biotite (46 H 1192)
Mineral Identification Kit:
  1. 15 Glass Plates (12 H 0008)
  2. 15 White Streak Plates (12 H 0290)
  3. 15 Black Streak Plates (12 H 0291)
  4. 30 Ward’s Magnifiers (24 H 1112)
Commit to an Outcome
  • Do you think you can learn to identify minerals by observing the physical characteristics and then by using a mineral identification key? 
Expose Beliefs
  • What do you know about minerals? 
  • How do think that minerals are formed? 
  • Do you know of any types of minerals? 
Confront Beliefs
  • Give the students the zip lock bags with the mineral samples and a magnifier for each student: 
  • Have the students divide the minerals into groups based upon whatever physical characteristics they can observe ( weight, color, etc)
Accommodate the Concept
  • Discuss metallic vs. non-metallic minerals and how they differ (luster, density)
  • Give the students the Mineral Identification Kits:
  • Discuss how to determine the hardness and streak of minerals
  • Give the students the Mineral Identification Key: 
  • Identify the minerals using the identification key.
Extend the Concept What does the color (light/dark) tell you about the composition of minerals?
Go Beyond
  • Discuss the relationship between the gray scale color of the mineral and the types of positive ions normally present in the composition of the mineral. 
  • How do you think that NASA can use what you have learned to determine what types of materials that make up the moon and planetary surfaces 

What we learned from this activity:

  1. Luster is an important physical characteristic which can be used to identify minerals.
  2. Minerals are divided into two main categories; Metallic (ores) and Non Metallic (rock forming minerals)
  3. Hardness is one of the most reliable physical characteristics used to identify minerals.
  4. Streak is a useful physical characteristic for identifying metallic minerals
  5. A minerals identification key is useful in identifying minerals.
Amplifying Information:

** The gray scale color (light or dark) indicates the origin of the materials which make up the minerals. Light colored minerals (quartz, potassium feldspar, muscovite mica) consist of low density minerals and are rich in Silica, Potassium, Aluminum, and Sodium. Dark colored minerals (plagioclase feldspar, hornblende) generally have higher densities and are rich in Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, and contain little or no silica).