
MINERALS 2
LESSON 2
VIDEO LOG:
IN YOUR NOTEBOOK, RECORD 3 THINGS YOU LEARNED FROM THE VIDEO.
FOR YOUR NOTEBOOK:
Lesson 2: Mineral Characteristics
Characteristics help us identify minerals. Here they are:
Color - Used but unreliable
Hardness - There is a scale called Moh's hardness scale. You scratch the mineral with other items with known hardness values. This helps you determine the hardness number of your mineral.
Luster - What type of shine does it have? How does light reflect off of it? Describe with:
Metallic
Non Metallic
Pearly
Silky
Earthy or Dull
Glassy
Sparkly
Streak - Color of a mineral's powder.
Fracture/Cleavage
Fracture - When the mineral breaks, it looks irregular or non-uniform
Cleavage - The mineral will break into smooth pieces. It breaks along straight planes.
Density - A mineral's mass divided by a mineral's volume.
Other Properties - See how it reacts to other chemicals
Example: Calcium filled minerals like Calcite will fizz when you add Hydrochloric Acid. Dolomite is a mineral that is common in areas where we find sink holes. Entire rows of houses have gone down in Quakertown!



