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Q: What 3 tests would you take to help identify an unkown mineral?
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How do you find the mineral in a rock?

In some rock, it is not possible to visually detect a mineral. Tests must be done to identify the minerals which compose the rock. Such tests would include: reaction to acids, specific gravity, texture, and color.


Are some tests better than others for identifying certain minerals?

Yes, you can usually identify the mineral salt by its taste. However, with most minerals one would apply a series of tests, eg hardness, flame test, colour, density, streak, shape in order to identify the mineral.


What would not help you identify a mineral?

tendency to float


What would you use the Mohs scale for hardness for?

to identify a mineral


What three tests would you preform to help you identify an unknown mineral?

Hardness test: Determine the mineral's resistance to scratching using the Mohs scale. Streak test: Rub the mineral against a porcelain plate to observe its powder color. Acid reaction test: Apply a weak acid to see if the mineral fizzes or reacts, indicating its chemical composition.


Which information would probably be most helpful to someone trying to identify a mineral sample?

Many igneous rocks can be identified by the position of their minerals.


Is specific gravity a way to identify minerals?

Specific gravity is a useful property to help identify minerals because it can provide insights into the mineral's density compared to water. By measuring the specific gravity of a mineral, geologists can narrow down potential mineral identifications based on known specific gravity values for different minerals. However, it is not always a definitive method for mineral identification and is usually used in conjunction with other tests and observations.


Why can't color alone be used identify most minerals?

Many minerals have similar color, and mineral color can be altered by trace amounts of impurities or by weathering. A better indicator would be the mineral's streak, which is the color of the mineral when powdered, although this characteristic can't be used alone in mineral identification.


Students want to identify a rock in a nearby field. Which of the following properties would be most useful in identifying the unknown rock?

Mineral content


What is the least destructive mining method?

The least destructive method would be to simply identify the desired mineral specimen by eye and pick it up.


When would an overflow error occur?

Most likely during an unkown "command" overflow


If you were givin an unknown rock how would you determine if it is a rock or mineral and what kind of rock or mineral it was?

To determine if the sample is a rock or mineral, you would first check its composition and structure. Rocks are made up of minerals, so identifying the minerals present can help determine if the sample is a rock or a single mineral. To identify the type of rock or mineral, you would perform tests such as hardness, streak, color, and crystal structure analysis to match its properties with known minerals or rock types. Consulting mineralogy or geology references could also help in identification.