4th Grade SC.4.E.6.2

The BEST way to identify a mineral is to

• observe several different properties

• look at the color

• compare its hardness to a known mineral

• break the mineral apart

A scientist describes a mineral as metallic. Which property is this?

• color
• streak
• luster
• cleavage

The picture shows the Mohs Hardness Scale. A mineral with a hardness of 5

• is harder than quartz
• is softer than talc
• will scratch a diamond
• will scratch calcite

What tool would you use to observe the grains of minerals in a rock?

• a streak plate
• a hand lens
• a hammer
• the Mohs scale

How can you tell whether a mineral has cleavage?

• it has the same color as its streak
• it looks glassy in the light
• it can scratch most other minerals
• it has a smooth surface where it breaks

Suppose you want to identify an unknown mineral. You start by observing the mineral with a hand lens. Which property can you observe just by looking?

• streak
• cleavage
• hardness
• luster

You identified a mineral by observing the properties below. Which one did you need a tile plate to observe?

• the mineral's cleavage
• the mineral's streak color
• the mineral's fine grains
• the mineral's hardness

Minerals can be identified by their hardness. What is the hardest mineral?

• corundum
• diamond
• quartz
• talc

Which statement best explains how scientists use the Mohs' scale to help them determine a mineral's hardness?

• no two minerals have the same hardness

• minerals with the same hardness are the same color

• a higher numbered mineral can scratch another mineral if it has a lower hardness number

• minerals will scratch other minerals only if they have the same hardness

Sam wanted to identify a mineral. He rubbed a corner of the mineral across a white tile and recorded the color mark. What property was Sam measuring?

• cleavage
• color
• luster
• streak