PMA Big Idea 6 Earth Structures

A student observes two rocks that look alike. The only difference the student notices between the two rock samples is that one of the rocks breaks apart a little when scraped with a fingernail, and the other rock does not break.

Which property is the most helpful in telling the two rocks apart?

• texture

• color

• weight

• hardness

Erosion by wind and water can move pieces of soil and rock.

As these materials settle on top of each other, they are pressed together, forming _______.

• sedimentary rock

• fossils

• igneous rock

• metamorphic rock

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

What name is given to the dust that is left on a surface after a mineral has been scraped across it?

• stress

• cleavage

• luster

• streak

• igneous

• layered

• metamorphic

• sedimentary

• The minerals in rock X have different shapes and sizes, but the minerals in rock Y are all the same.

• The minerals in both rock X and rock Y have different shapes and sizes.

• The minerals in rock Y have different shapes and sizes, but the minerals in rock X are all the same.

• The minerals in both rock X and rock Y have different sizes but the same shape.

• mica

• feldspar

• quartz

• calcite

• Try to scratch the marble with each of the minerals, and group the minerals that do scratch the marble together.

• Separate the minerals into ones that feel heavier and lighter, and then try to scratch the marble with the heavy minerals.

• Separate the minerals into light and dark colors, and then try to scratch the marble with the light colored minerals.

• Try to scratch the pink quartz with each of the minerals, and group the minerals that do not scratch the pink quartz together.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Jenny found a rock that contained large, well-formed mineral crystals.

Which rock property would the large crystals be most useful for describing?

• texture

• color

• hardness

• layering

• feldspar

• gypsum

• calcite

• talc

What is cleavage?

• a measure of the ease with which the surface of a mineral can be scratched

• the mass per unit volume

• the tendency of a crystal to break along flat surfaces

• the way in which the surface of a mineral reflects light