Curated OER
Properties of Minerals
Students research properties of minerals. In this science lesson, students search the web, create a folder, and store information on properties of minerals. There are many excellent worksheets and study guides embedded in this lesson,...
Province of British Columbia
B.c. Ministry of Energy and Mines: Common Rock Forming Minerals
There are six common minerals most often found in rocks. They are quartz, feldspar, olivine, mica, pyroxene, and amphibole. This website provides photos and information on each, and discusses their importance when identifying rocks.
Other
Mineralogical Society of America: Mineral Identification Key: Mineral Properties
Scientists classify minerals based on a set of physical properties. Each of these properties is described in detail.
Other
Geologynet: Rock Forming Minerals
Use the search to find information on rock forming minerals. Characteristics including formula, color, cleavage, and hardness are presented in an easy-to-read chart.
Other
Reade International Corp.: Specific Gravity Table for Metals, Minerals, Ceramics
This is a table listing the specific gravities of various metals, ceramics, and minerals. Very complete listing and a good resource.
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Earth Science: Minerals Ii: Properties
Instructional module focusing on the physical properties of minerals. Discussion includes the identifying characteristics such as color, hardness, luster, crystal forms, density, and cleavage. Site also includes an interactive practice...
Other
Minerals by Physical and Optical Properties
Over 4,700 mineral species descriptions include HTML-linked mineral tables by physical and optical properties of all known valid mineral species.
Other
University of Bristol, Uk: Minerals Under the Microscope
In this geology course, students learn about the use of the polarizing microscope, the primary tool for examining the structure of mineral samples such as cleavage, density, fracture, color, and the like.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: The Elements of Steel
This interactive site allows students to explore the types of elements that compose different kinds of steel. There is also information explaining how each element affects the function of the steel.
Utah Education Network
Uen: All Sorts of Rocks
Second graders will sort rocks according to hardness, texture, layering, and particle size.
University of Oregon
Ask Geo Man: Igneous Rock Forming Minerals
Ask GeoMan lists Olivine, Pyroxene, Amphibole, Feldspar, Mica and Quartz, as five common rock forming minerals. Characteristics of each are also given.
James Madison University
James Madison University: Mineral Hardness and Cleavage
An explanation of the Mohs Hardness scale is followed by illustrations of crystal structures and cleavage.
James Madison University
James Madison University: Dept. Of Geology and Environmental Science: Minerals
Descriptions and pictures of over thirty minerals are available at this website. Documents describing the properties of minerals and how to use the properties for identification templates to make models, and dichotomous keys make up the...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Mineral Identification
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Classifying minerals based on physical characteristics.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plix: Mineral Scratch Test: Mineral Identification
[Free Registration/Login Required] This website allows for a simulated scratch test to identify some unknown minerals. Site also includes a sort quiz on the topic.
Amethyst Galleries
Amethyst Galleries: Physical Characteristics of Minerals
The properties of minerals are defined in this resource, such as color, luster, cleavage, hardness, streak, and more. Included are pictures of minerals along with detailed descriptions. You can also search for minerals by name, class, or...
Amethyst Galleries
Amethyst Galleries: Minerals by Name
Use this resource to look up any mineral by name to see its picture along with history, class, uses, related minerals, and physical properties. Just choose from this alphabetically sorted list of minerals.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Minerals
The students will gain information on the five characteristics of minerals. The information can be related to nonrenewable resources. This lesson should facilitate discussion on the difference between precious gems and semi-precious...
Cosmo Learning
Cosmo Learning: Engineering Geology
A collection of video lectures from a course introducing students to the basics of engineering geology. Webpage includes forty lectures from a professor at the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning. Lectures vary in length...
Other
Rockhounding Arkansas: Basic Mineral Identification
Want to learn about rock collecting? This page introduces you to the basics and language of rocks and -inerals. Learn what the difference is between a rock and a mineral.
SMART Technologies
Smart: Rocks Slso
This file guides students through learning about sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks along with an introduction to the rock cycle. Students can complete work in small groups or individually on their devices.