Metallic or non-metallic mineral?
Test eleven minerals for lustre, streak and hardness, find out what each is used for in Nepal, and sort them into metallic minerals (ores) and non-metallic minerals.
Core concept
Minerals are natural solids found in rocks; metallic minerals (ores) shine like metal and give metals such as iron and copper, while non-metallic minerals give materials such as cement, glass and talc
Topic: Minerals
Rocks are made of minerals: natural solids, each with its own chemical make-up. Geologists identify minerals with simple tests. Lustre is how a mineral shines: metallic minerals shine like metal, while others look glassy, pearly or dull. Streak is the colour of a mineral's powder when it is rubbed on a rough white tile, which can differ from its colour. Hardness is how easily it is scratched, on the Mohs scale from 1 (talc, scratched by a fingernail) to 10 (diamond). Metallic minerals are ores that give metals; non-metallic minerals give useful materials. Nepal has iron ore at Phulchoki, magnesite at Kharidhunga and limestone for many cement factories.
What you will learn
- Identify minerals using lustre, streak and hardness tests.
- Classify minerals as metallic or non-metallic.
- Use the Mohs scale to compare the hardness of minerals.
- Name minerals found in Nepal and their uses.
Before you start
- Know that rocks are found in the Earth's crust.
Materials
- Mineral samples (from a school kit), a copper coin, a steel nail
Equipment
- A white unglazed tile (streak plate), a glass plate, a hand lens
Procedure
- Pick a mineral card and test its lustre, streak and hardness.
- Do this for at least six minerals.
- Sort every mineral into metallic or non-metallic.