Test a your mineral samples for hardness and compare your findings to the standards. Use simple tools such as your fingernail, a copper penny, a porcelain tile, and a piece of glass (or a common nail). Directions are laid out simply and clearly for students to follow on their own without help.
Whether or not you teach the Mohs hardness scale, this lab will introduce your students to a key characteristic of minerals: hardness.
Use this to learn and reinforce answers to questions such as:
❑ How do you test the hardness of minerals?
❑ How do minerals compare in terms of hardness?
❑ Why aren't rocks described in terms of hardness?
Concepts Addressed
♦ Minerals are identified by color, streak, luster, hardness
♦ Minerals have specific physical properties (hardness, etc)
Standards Addressed
TEKS 6.6C
VA SOL ES.4.a
Materials Needed: Copper penny, common nail or glass plate, streak plate (porcelain tile), mineral samples
Teaching Time About 30-40 min.
Student Sheets Scaffolded writing prompts & lab reporting
Answer Keys and Teacher Notes address most questions and issues that might arise in this study—you shouldn’t have to do any outside research unless you want to.
