a geologist working in a national park finds a mineral. He is caring a kit that contains a Penney, a hand lens, a geologist hammer, and a jackknife. describe how the geologist can use these items determine some of the minerals chartist
The penny to compare the hardness. The hand lens for hardness and luster. The tile to rub it on to get a powder streak for color. The hammer to break it to identify fractures. The pocket knife to see if it is brittle, flexible, or elastic.
Use the penny to determine its hardness.
To determine some of the mineral characteristics, the geologist can utilize the following items from the kit:
1. Penny: The geologist can use the penny to assess the mineral's hardness. By scratching the mineral's surface with the edge of the penny, they can compare the scratch resistance against a hardness scale. For instance, if the mineral can be easily scratched by the penny, it indicates a low hardness level (1-2 on the Mohs scale), while significant resistance to scratching suggests a higher hardness (e.g., 6-7).
2. Hand lens: The hand lens, also known as a magnifying glass, can help the geologist observe the mineral's physical properties in more detail. By examining the mineral's color, crystal shape, surface texture, and cleavage (how it breaks), the geologist can narrow down potential mineral identifications. For example, observing a silver metallic luster and cubic crystal shape may suggest the mineral is galena (lead sulfide).
3. Geologist hammer: The geologist hammer is used for collecting samples and determining the mineral's density. The geologist can use the hammer to break off a small piece of the mineral from a larger sample. They can then examine the sample's weight and compare it to its volume (measured by the hammer's handle). This calculation can provide an estimate of the mineral's density. For example, if the mineral is heavier than average, it may have a higher density and lead to further identification possibilities.
4. Jackknife: A jackknife can be handy for assessing the mineral's resistance to scratching or cleavage. The geologist can attempt to scratch the mineral with the knife's blade or gently apply pressure to its surface to observe any cleavage planes or fracture patterns. This can provide clues about the mineral's hardness and fracture type, aiding identification efforts.
While these tools won't provide a definitive identification, they can assist the geologist in collecting valuable data to narrow down the possibilities and make an educated assessment about the mineral's characteristics. For accurate and precise identification, laboratory testing and further analysis may be necessary.