Geology Lab: Minerals

You need to determine the specific gravity of a sample. After putting the sample on a lab scale, you know it has a mass of 85 grams. Using a graduated cylinder, you know it has a volume of 9.5 mL. What is the specific gravity of the sample?

8.9 remember no unit Find by dividing the objects mass by the volume of liquid

Which of the following characteristics would you use to differentiate between specimens of halite and quartz?

A quartz crystal is hexagonal in cross section, whereas a halite crystal is square in cross section. Quartz is harder than halite. Halite has a salty taste, whereas quartz does not.

Which of the following characteristics would you use to differentiate between specimens of biotite and muscovite?

Biotite is dark brown in color, whereas muscovite is clear.

Which of the following characteristics would you use to differentiate between specimens of calcite and gypsum? Gypsum effervesces (fizzes) with dilute HCl, whereas calcite does not. Gypsum is harder than calcite. Gypsum has a dark streak, whereas calcite has a white streak. Calcite is harder than gypsum. Calcite effervesces (fizzes) with dilute HCl, whereas gypsum does not. Calcite has a dark streak, whereas gypsum has a white streak.

Calcite is harder than gypsum. Calcite effervesces (fizzes) with dilute HCl, whereas gypsum does not.

Which mineral(s) might you be examining if you place some hydrochloric (HCl) acid on a sample and it fizzes? Quartz Hematite Plagioclase Dolomite Calcite

Dolomite and Calcite

Which of the following characteristics would you use to differentiate between specimens of calcite and dolomite?

Dolomite is harder than calcite. Calcite effervesces with direct application of HCl, whereas dolomite only effervesces with HCl when it is powdered.

Which of the following characteristics would you use to differentiate between specimens of galena and graphite?

Galena is harder than graphite. Galena is cubic, whereas graphite is generally amorphous.

Which of the following characteristics would you use to differentiate between specimens of hematite and magnetite?

Magnetite has a dark gray streak, whereas hematite has a dark red streak

Metallic Luster vs Nonmetallic graphite chromite muscovite bornite tourmaline garnet hematite chlorite

Metallic: graphite chromite bornite hematite Nonmetallic: chlorite muscovite tourmaline garnet

Which of the following characteristics would you use to differentiate between specimens of plagioclase feldspar and potassium feldspar?

Plagioclase feldspar often has visible striations, whereas potassium feldspar lacks such striations.

Which of the following characteristics would you use to differentiate between specimens of pyrite and gold? Pyrite is harder than gold. Gold has a yellow streak, whereas pyrite has a dark gray streak. Gold is harder than pyrite. Gold's luster is metallic, whereas pyrite's luster is nonmetallic. Pyrite's luster is metallic, whereas gold's luster is nonmetallic. Pyrite has a yellow streak, whereas gold has a dark gray streak.

Pyrite is harder than gold. Gold has a yellow streak, whereas pyrite has a dark gray streak.

Rank the minerals below from softest to hardest.

Softest Mineral to hardest graphite gypsum calcite dolomite hornblende olivine

A mineral scratches a knife blade but does not scratch a streak plate. What is the hardness of the mineral?

between 5.5 and 7

What physical property of minerals describes how they will break along a plane of weakness in a crystal lattice?

cleavage