SLO 2- Minerals

In this in-class lab, we learned how to identify each mineral. Identification was based on the Luster describing the light color characteristics, Hardness as that is the resistance to scratching, Cleavage has a tendency to break along smooth planes, Fracture is the tendency to break along curved surfaces, Color, and Streak is the color of a crushed mineral's powder. Each one described can determine a mineral but you can also use certain chemicals on certain minerals to also define what they are. This was when we were doing hands-on with the minerals but during the lab, we also did some research on their molecular structures and elements to separate the minerals with similarities for our memorization of minerals.

This a great lab for memorization I loved it so much because it actually made me learn each mineral and I was totally prepared for the minerals quiz when I took it. Noticing that each mineral is different so in class we also did a Minerals Key chart. The Chart was also a good way to keep the minerals separated so that we can learn them without getting confused. There were a few that were similar like Gypsum, Halite, and Calcite, so identifying those were a struggle but I noticed by looking at their molecular structure they had a different shape in structure so that actually helped and calcite also makes a chemical reaction.

(Source: Minerals Lab)