Welcome

=Welcome to Ms. Schroth's Earth and Space Science Wiki =



Step 1:
===Congratulations! As Pennsylvania's finest team of modern-day geologists, you have been directed to go on an archeological mining expedition to accurately identify a group of unknown minerals. The team’s task are to: 1) determine the mineral samples’ color, luster, and crystal shape through observations, 2) identify each one of the mineral samples by completing three separate tests, and 3) compare the results to the minerals and gemstones chart (pages 73 and 74). Each team member will be assigned an unidentified mineral. ===

Step 2:
===The initial observations that the individual team members will conduct is simple. You will try to determine a mineral sample’s color, luster, and crystal shape. You will use natural lighting to look at the color and the luster. After analyzing the color and the luster, you will use a magnifying glass to look for the crystalline shape. Not all minerals will have identifiable crystals because some crystals are too small to see. Although these first three tests may suffice in identifying the sample, most minerals require more extensive tests. These tests consist of determining specific gravity, hardness, and streak color. You will use these tests to help you identify your sample more reliably. ===

Step 3:
===The first test is measuring specific gravity. A mineral’s specific gravity, or its density compared to the density of water, can be determined by a simple method and equation. Once you know the specific gravity, you will be able to more accurately identify the sample mineral. To conduct this test, you will need: ===
 * ===a 12-inch long string ===
 * ===a spring scale ===
 * ===a large beaker or cup filled with water. ===

===You will tie a piece of string around their mineral sample and weigh it with the spring scale. You will record the weight as the “true weight.” Next, you will weigh the sample while suspending it in a beaker or cup filled with water. You will record the weight as the “submerged weight.” Finally, you will calculate the specific gravity of their sample by finding the difference between the two weights (“true weight” minus “submerged weight”). ===

Step 4:
===The second test, the hardness test, entails scratching the mineral sample and comparing the results to Mohs Hardness Scale (page 72). To conduct this test, you will need: ===
 * ===a thumbnail ===
 * ===a copper penny ===
 * ===a steel nail ===
 * ===<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">a piece of glass (with the edges taped with duct tape). ===

<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">You will test your sample by following these steps:

 * ===<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">scratch it with a thumbnail ===
 * ===<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">scratch it with a copper penny ===
 * ===<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">scratch it with a steel nail ===
 * ===<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">scratch it against a piece of glass ===

===<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">You will select the hardness number that correlates with the first object that generates a scratch on your sample. ===

<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">Step 5:
===<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;"> The third and final test, the streak test, involves seeing the powder color of the mineral sample. This is an important test for distinguishing one mineral from another because the sample may be the same color as some of the other samples within the group. To conduct this test, you will need: ===
 * ===<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">an unglazed porcelain tile ===

===<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">You will rub the edges of the sample across the surface of an unglazed porcelain tile and analyze the streak color, noting if the color is dark or light. Some minerals have colorless powders. ===

<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">1) a hypothesis of the identity of the mineral sample
===<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;"> 2) an account of the initial observations of the mineral sample’s color, luster, and crystal shape ===

<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">7) a photograph of the mineral
===<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">8) a statement comparing the results of the mineral with the results of the minerals and gemstones chart ===

===<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">Your team will have the opportunity to assist one another in completing the necessities of this endeavor by responding to at least three other team members’ wiki pages through adding, deleting, and/or editing the information exposed about their mineral samples. ===

===<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">* I will be monitoring the wiki on a daily basis for understanding and redirecting teaching as needed with the whole class or individually. ===

===<span style="color: #17b517; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">Please take a look at the online version of the [|rubric]. ===