ROCKS AND MINERALS WEB SCAVENGER HUNT

Name (s) ______

Introduction- Several local geologists found out that we are studying ROCKS AND MINERALS and have asked for our help. They would like us to help them by becoming rocks and minerals detectives. Our job will be to collect clues about rocks and minerals and how they are identified and used. Answer the following 20 questions by using the links below to investigate ROCKS AND MINERALS!

Resources

  • Classification Questions for Rocks -Questions like these will assist you in your classification process.
  • How are Rocks Formed? - Rocks can be classified into three main groups.Check out this cool, easy to read table.
  • Rocks and Minerals - What are rocks and minerals, anyway?
  • Rocks and Minerals Reference Sheet - Locate information about different minerals.

Part I – Identifying Rocks and Minerals # 1-10

Directions - Using the rocks and minerals in the word bank, fill-in the rocks and minerals that are being described (each word can only be used once).

WORD BANK

talc quartz shale magnetite limestone

hematite anthracite graphite sandstone slate

  1. This mineral was a dark reddish brown mineral that had a dark red streak and comes from the Greek word for blood. ______
  1. This rock reacted with acid and it is used to make cement, mortar, and stucco. It is also used with asphalt to pave roads and driveways (it’s not a fruit-haha). ______
  1. This smooth, dark gray rock has perfect cleavage and is used to make blackboards. ______
  2. This mineral is used to make a powder that is commonly used at barbershops. ______
  1. This black, shiny mineral had strong magnetism. ______
  1. This white, glassy mineral is used for jewelry and as an abrasive for polishing. ______
  1. A greasy, dark gray mineral that conducts electricity, it is used in “lead” pencils (there is no lead in a lead pencil). ______
  1. This rough, black rock comes from the Greek work for “coal,” anthrax. It did not react with acid, conduct electricity or have magnetism (hint: it is not a mineral even though it has the suffix “ite”). ______
  1. This rock is made up of sand and comes in a variety of colors. ______
  1. The name of this rock comes from an old German word meaning “shell.” It often is used to make cement and contains fossils and sulfur. ______

Part II – Fill-in #1-10 with the references listed at the top

Directions - Fill-in the missing words.

  1. ______is the resistance of a rock surface to scratching.
  1. If a rock or mineral contains enough metal, it may conduct ______.
  1. The ______is the color of powder left by a rock or mineral when it is rubbed on a streak plate.
  1. A ______is a hard, solid part of the earth’s surface. Most of them are made up of minerals.
  1. ______is the way some minerals (salt, galena, slate, etc.) naturally break into smaller pieces.
  1. The ______of a rock or mineral is how it feels. Rocks and minerals may possibly feel sandy, greasy, bumpy, flat, rough, smooth, sandy, grainy, etc.
  1. The materials in ______were never alive. They are the basic building blocks of all rocks. The scientific names of most of them end in the suffix “ite.” Some exceptions are galena, quartz and feldspar, which do not end the suffix “ite.”
  1. Perhaps the easiest property to observe rocks and minerals by is the ______. Be sure to include if it is dark or light and whether it has spots or streaks. Also describe a rock or mineral as dull or bright.
  1. A ______may be attracted to rocks and minerals that contain iron, such as magnetite.
  1. Some rocks and minerals contain a base. A weak ______can be used to test for a base in a rock or mineral.

Now that you have finished this ROCKS AND MINERALS WEB SCAVENGER HUNT, you are officially aRocks & Minerals Detective!