Question

2. A geologist working in a national park finds a mineral. They are carrying a kit that contains a penny, a hand lens, a piece of tile, a geologic hammer, and a jackknife. Describe how the geologist can use these items to determine some of the mineral’s characteristics. (4 points)

You will need to write about all 5 tools in the geologist’s kit and what properties of the mineral that they could observe with them. Remember to also write about all 5 properties of minerals: streak, luster, cleavage, fracture, and hardness

Answer 1

The hand lens can be used to identify any features such as cleavage, to a certain extent of course.

He/She could use the tile to look at the streak of the mineral.

The Hammer to open a fresh surface and examine the aformentioned features such as cleavage.

And use the knife to scratch it, and compare it to the scratch of the coin to test the hardness against copper/steel. Although a coin is not common practice in my experience.