GEOL 107 - GENERAL GEOLOGY - LABORATORY OUTLINE
MINERALS LAB
Material covered Chapter 3 in Ludman & Marshak Laboratory Manual for Introductory Geology
Topics:
I. Definition of a mineral
II. Using their physical properties be able to identify the following minerals:
Amphibole (also hornblende in lab manual)
Biotite Mica
Calcite
Fluorite
Galena
Graphite
Gypsum
Halite
Hematite (2 samples)
Kaolinite
Magnetite
Muscovite Mica
Olivine
Orthoclase Feldspar (called potassic feldspar in lab manual)
Plagioclase Feldspar
Pyrite
Pyroxene (also augite in lab manual)
Quartz (3 samples)
Sphalerite
Talc
III. Be able to identify luster of a mineral metallic vs. non-metallic vs. vitreous vs. earthy
IV. Know relative mineral hardness using Mohs hardness scale
V. Be able to identify cleavage
VI. Know which of the above minerals are silicates
Definition of a mineral - naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, formed by geologic processes with
a fixed (or variable within certain limits) chemical composition and a definite crystalline
structure
Definition of luster - the appearance of a fresh mineral surface in reflected light (i.e., what does
the surface of the mineral look like when it is in the light?)
metallic luster - looks like metal
non-metallic luster - doesn't look like metal
vitreous - non-metallic luster, looks like glass
earthy - non-metallic luster, not bright like glass
Mohs Relative Hardness Scale
Softest -
Common Materials Hardness Scale
Talc
Gypsum
Fingernail
Calcite
Copper Penny
Fluorite
Apatite
Knife Blade
Glass Plate
Orthoclase
Steel File
Hardest -
Quartz
Topaz
Corundum
Diamond
Silicate Minerals in your list of minerals to know:
Olivine
Pyroxene
Amphibole
Biotite and Muscovite Mica
Plagioclase and Orthoclase Feldspar
Quartz
Talc
Kaolinite
Definition of cleavage - the tendency of a mineral to break along planes of weakness