Lab 1: Minerals & Rocks

Question 1

Define mineral

Answer 1

a solid, naturally occuring, inorganic, substance with a defined chemical composition and a geometric internal structure that is expressed as a crystal.
element examples: oxygen, silicon and iron

Question 2

define fossil

Answer 2

the remains or traces of ancient life (plants, animals, or micro-organisms)

Question 3

how can you identify minerals

Answer 3

luster, hardness, acid reactions

Question 4

define lustre and name 2 types of lustre

Answer 4

the way the mineral surface interacts with light.
1. metallic
2. non metallic

Question 5

metallic lustre

Answer 5

reflects all light, no light is absorbed or transmitted. Mineral may be shiny or dull

Question 6

non metallic lustre

Answer 6

reflects some light, but also absorbs or transmits some (glass)

Question 7

pyrite

Answer 7

fools gold- forms from wetlands if the O2 content in the water is low. Replaces original minerals in fossils

Question 8

hematite

Answer 8

redish, rusty oxidation product and are cementing agents in sedimentary rocks. Fills cavities in fossil bones and shells

Question 9

define hardness

Answer 9

minerals controlled by the strength of its internal chemical bonds and controls its ability to resist physical wear and abrasion

Question 10

Moh’s hardness scale

Answer 10

ranges from 1-10. 1 being soft 10 being hard.
A harder mineral will be able to scratch a softer one but a softer mineral can never scratch a harder mineral

Question 11

glass hardness

Answer 11

5.5
minerals <5.5 cannot scratch glass
minerals >5.5 can scratch glass

Question 12

Acid test

Answer 12

normal rain water is slightly acidic and reacts with calcite. The reaction also releases water.
Under ground environments and formation fluids maybe weakly to moderately acidic

Question 13

If fossils are eroded and exposed to acidic rainwater, or if they are buried and affected by acidic formation fluids what might happen to them?

Answer 13

Fossil will dissolve and react faster

Question 14

Name formula, metallic luster, hardness, acid reaction and crystal of QUARTZ

Answer 14

Formula: SiO2
Metallic Luster: No
Hardness: 7
Acid reaction: no
Crystal: Hexagonal Prism

Question 15

name formula, metallic luster, harness, acid reaction and crystal and colour of PYRITE

Answer 15

Formula: FeS2
Metallic Luster: yes
Hardness: 6-6.5
Acid reaction: no
Crystal: massive, cubic
colour: yellow-gold

Question 16

name formula, metallic luster, harness, acid reaction and crystal and colour of HEMATITE

Answer 16

Formula: Fe2O3
Metallic Luster: yes
Hardness: 5.5-6.5
Acid reaction: no
Crystal: massive
colour: silver-grey/red-brown

Question 17

name formula, metallic luster, harness, acid reaction and crystal of CALCITE

Answer 17

Formula: CaCO3
Metallic Luster: no
Hardness: 3
Acid reaction: yes
Crystal: tabular, rhombohedral

Question 18

name formula, metallic luster, harness, acid reaction and crystal of ARAGONITE

Answer 18

Formula: CaCO3
Metallic Luster: no
Hardness: 3.5-4
Acid reaction: yes
Crystal: stout prism

Question 19

name formula, metallic luster, harness, acid reaction and crystal of APATITE

Answer 19

Formula: Ca5(PO4)3(OH)
Metallic Luster: no
Hardness: 5
Acid reaction: no
Crystal: massive, prismatic

Question 20

name the 6 minerals from the lab

Answer 20

quartz, pyrite, hematite, calcite, aragonite, apatite

Question 21

which 2 minerals are metallic luster

Answer 21

pyrite & hematite

Question 22

what 2 minerals have acid reactions

Answer 22

calcite & aragonite

Question 23

name the mineral (1) with a hardness greater than 5.5 and non metallic

Answer 23

quartz

Question 24

name the minerals less than 5.5 hardness

Answer 24

apatite, aragonite, calcite

Question 25

igneous rocks and cooling

Answer 25

cool from molten material which creates crystalline texture with. minerals that interlock with no spaces between them

Question 26

igneous rocks that cool fast on the earths surface

Answer 26

extrusive igneous rocks, produce tiny crystals not visible to the bare eye

Question 27

igneous rocks that cool slowly within the earths surface

Answer 27

intrusive igneous rocks, produces large crystals visible to the eye

Question 28

sedimentary rocks

Answer 28

formed from sediments that have been eroded, transported and deposited on earths surface. Has granular texture (composed of fragments of other rocks cemented together.

Question 29

metamorphic rocks

Answer 29

formed when sedimentary or igneuos rocks are altered (temp and pressure) without actually melting. Have a crystalline texture and are layered

Question 30

what rocks may contain calcite

Answer 30

sedimentary and metamorphic

Question 31

Classify this rock, explain why and can a fossil be found? ASH TUFF

Answer 31

igneous
will powder off on scratch test, extrousive and crystilized
maybe

Question 32

Classify this rock, explain why and can a fossil be found? BASALT

Answer 32

igneous
contains gas bubbles
no

Question 33

Classify this rock, explain why and can a fossil be found? GRANODIORITE

Answer 33

igneous
large crystals, large black spots, magma chamber type of rock
no

Question 34

Classify this rock, explain why and can a fossil be found? SCHIST

Answer 34

metamorphic
layers, crystals, found inside mountain (fossils been destroyed)
no

Question 35

Classify this rock, explain why and can a fossil be found? CONGLOMERATE

Answer 35

sedimentary
pebbles (large), layered and crytsal
yes

Question 36

Classify this rock, explain why and can a fossil be found? SHALE

Answer 36

sedimentary
sand, fragmented rock
yes

Question 37

Classify this rock, explain why and can a fossil be found? SANDSTONE

Answer 37

sedimentary
mud, layers
yes

Question 38

Classify this rock, explain why and can a fossil be found? LIMESTONE

Answer 38

sedimentary
in ocean, layered, reacts fast
maybe