Rock identification lab answers

Lab Module 2: Mineral and Rock Identification Lab; Geologic Time (30 points)

Part 1: Mineral and Rock Identification
In this part of the lab, you will describe the minerals and rocks included in your Home Training Tools boxes. You will create a list of the minerals and rocks identified by number, and record your personal observations of your samples. For the minerals, you should make note of the luster and color, hardness, cleavage or fracture, streak, and if it has any special characteristics, as described in the Interactive Lecture and your textbook. For the rocks, identify the texture, composition and a description of grains or crystal, or observable minerals present, also described in the interactive lecture and your textbook. There are 15 minerals, and 15 rocks, 5 of each rock type.

1. Fluorite 1. Obsidian
2. Feldspar – Microcline 2. Granite
3. Hematite 3. Basalt
4. Pyrite 4. Pumice
5. Milky Quartz 5. Rhyolite
6. Calcite 6. Shale
7. Mica – Muscovite 7. Calcareous Tufa
8. Magnetite 8. Sandstone
9. Gypsum – Alabaster 9. Conglomerate
10. Talc 10. Limestone
11. Halite 11. Slate
12. Mica – Biotite 12. Marble
13. Graphite 13. Quartzite
14. Gypsum – Satin Spar 14. Gneiss
15. Gypsum – Selenite 15. Schist
http://www.hometrainingtools.com/mineral-study-kit
http://www.hometrainingtools.com/rock-study-kit

Answer the following questions:

Explain the rock cycle.
What did you find the most useful property to identify your minerals?
What was different about the components of your conglomerate and granite?
What was similar between your limestone and marble?
What was different between your sandstone and quartzite?
Describe the differences between the conglomerate, sandstone, and shale.
What is similar and what is different about your granite and gneiss?