Purpose: How Are Minerals Identified

Name: ______Mineral Identification Lab I. Purpose: How are minerals identified?

II. Procedure: Identify the mineral samples by testing their physical properties and by using the dichotomous key provided. You will need streak plates, glass slides, and hand lenses.

III. Data: Create a chart of the mineral properties for the samples (Hematite, Galena, Magnetite, Pyrite, Hornblende or Amphibole, Biotite Mica, Olivine, Pyroxene, Calcite, Orthoclase or Potassium Feldspar, Sulfur, Plagioclase feldspar, Garnet, Gypsum, Quartz, and Muscovite Mica).

Mineral Name Luster Breakage (C/F) Hardness Streak Color

IV. Create a dichotomous key for the minerals your group has been given that uses the physical properties of the minerals to identify them. This may be colorful and organized in any way that works.

V. Summary Questions: Answer in complete sentences on a separate sheet of paper. (1) What is a mineral? (2) What is a crystal? (3) Think about graphite and diamonds. How can minerals be made of the same atoms (elements), yet be two completely different minerals? (4) How is it that more than 99% of the Earth’s crust is made of just eight elements, but there are over 2,000 minerals? (5) List and define the physical properties used to identify minerals. Be sure to include how each property is tested.