Today in class, we will build our Videolicious mineral documentaries.

Homework

Please complete the 10-question Engrade quiz entitled “Minerals.” Of course, you may use your notes and ESRT when answering the questions.

Enjoy your weekend.

Today in class, we will continue working on mineral identification. We will complete the lab, review the ID assignment from last night, and begin the process of creating our minerals documentaries.

Homework

Please complete your Videolicious script so that we can build our documentaries tomorrow in class. There will be a minerals quiz online over the weekend.

Have a great day.

Today in class, we will try to identify a selection of common minerals using the characteristics we discussed in class yesterday. Please download this Keynote file which will act as your lab packet for today. Be aware that I have posted a quick minerals tutorial to help you review this content. We will likely have a little quiz in class on Friday.

Homework

For homework tonight, please complete the online mineral identification activity. You will scroll through 21 images of minerals from the reference tables. Each image will have several clues that will help you to identify the minerals. Please record the name of each mineral as you go. At the end of the activity, you will be asked to submit your answers through a form. If for some reason it does not work, please bring a written list of your answers to class tomorrow. When you are ready to begin, click here. As always, feel free to email me with any questions or problems.

See you tomorrow.

Today in class, we will begin exploring rocks and minerals. In class, we will be viewing the presentation found here. Here is a review video which you should watch to go over the major concepts from class.
Here are the major concepts we discussed in class:

What is a mineral?
To be considered a mineral, the substance in question must meet the following criteria:

• Naturally occurring
• Solid
• Inorganic
• Definite chemical composition
• Definite crystalline structure

How do we identify minerals?

• COLOR- Most visible characteristic, but unreliable because many minerals share the same color and many minerals exist in different colors.
• STREAK- The color of the mineral in powdered form (use a “streak plate”). Very reliable tool for identifying samples. Note: the color of the powdered form is often different form the color of the solid form.
• FRACTURE/ CLEAVAGE- Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to split along one or more smooth, flat surfaces. If a mineral does not display cleavage, it is said to have fracture, which means it breaks unevenly.
• HARDNESS- The mineral’s resistance to being scratched. Minerals are compared to the ten minerals on the “Moh’s Scale of Hardness”. Minerals are often compared to glass (hardness: 5.5)
• LUSTER- Either metallic (shiny, like a polished metal) or nonmetallic (dull, with no shine). Types of nonmetallic luster include glossy, pearly, greasy, earthy, etc.
• OTHER CHARACTERISTICS that can be tested include: magnetism, reaction with chemicals, taste, specific gravity, crystal form, fluorescence, optics.

A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, with a definite chemical composition and crystal structure. All physical characteristics are a result of the mineral’s internal arrangement of atoms.

Homework

For homework tonight, please review the minerals packet I distribute in class. Complete page 2 for tomorrow.

See you tomorrow.