2/25/24, 6:22 PM Laboratory 3A: An Introduction to Minerals: ESS 101 B Wi 24: Introduction To Geology And Societal Impacts
Laboratory 3A: An Introduction to Minerals
Due Jan 28 at 11:59pm
Points 3.5
Questions 9
Available Jan 19 at 9am - Jan 28 at 11:59pm
Time Limit None
Allowed Attempts 2
Instructions
ATTENTION : You must complete this lab BEFORE you complete Laboratory 3B: Mineral
Identification (https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1699809/quizzes/1953712) . Lab 3A will teach you
about the characteristics we use to describe minerals. Lab 3B will have you use the
characteristics to identify minerals.
If you do not first complete Lab 3A, Lab 3B will be difficult/impossible.
This quiz was locked Jan 28 at 11:59pm.
Attempt History
Attempt Time Score
LATEST Attempt 1 12 minutes 3.5 out of 3.5
Score for this attempt: 3.5 out of 3.5
Submitted Jan 26 at 2:09pm
This attempt took 12 minutes.
Learning Goals
By completing this lab, students will learn:
The technical definition of a mineral
The different physical properties of a mineral and how they form
How to use common diagnostic properties to identify a mineral
,2/25/24, 6:22 PM Laboratory 3A: An Introduction to Minerals: ESS 101 B Wi 24: Introduction To Geology And Societal Impacts
Introduction
A. Minerals
Minerals are the basic building blocks that make up the solid Earth. Therefore, any study of the solid
Earth must begin with an understanding of minerals.
A mineral, by definition, is a (1) naturally occurring, (2) solid, (3) usually inorganic element or compound
with a (4) definite crystalline structure and (5) chemical composition which varies only within specific
limits. Common examples are quartz, diamond, garnet, talc, and halite (salt).
Some useful hints about what a mineral is/isn't:
1. Although compounds produced in a laboratory can have many of the characteristics of a
mineral, they are not naturally occurring and therefore are not minerals.
2. Minerals are solids, therefore liquids and gases are not considered minerals.
3. Nearly all minerals are inorganic, that is, not produced by living organisms.
4. Minerals have a distinct crystalline structure (Figure 3-1). Each mineral has an orderly,
predictable arrangement of atoms. For example, the minerals graphite and diamond are both
made of carbon but what makes them unique is a significant difference in the way the atoms
are arranged (Figure 3-1). (A mineraloid differs from a mineral in that it lacks crystalline
structure (i.e., is amorphous). For example, opal is a mineraloid; it has the same composition
as quartz but lacks the crystal structure.)
5. Minerals have a definite chemical composition that can be expressed as a specific chemical
formula. Quartz, for instance, is composed of silicon and oxygen and has the formula SiO2.
Some minerals have more complex compositions. Garnet's formula, for instance, is
A3B2(SiO4)3, where A and B represent a variety of elements such as Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn.
Although the exact composition of garnet can vary, the ratio between A and B is constant — 3
atoms of A for every 2 atoms of B.
, 2/25/24, 6:22 PM Laboratory 3A: An Introduction to Minerals: ESS 101 B Wi 24: Introduction To Geology And Societal Impacts
Figure 3-1. The atomic structure of (a) diamond and (b) graphite. Diagrammatic inserts show bonding relationships of
carbon atoms. In diamond, each carbon atom is strongly bonded (covalent bonds) to four adjacent carbon atoms. In
graphite, each carbon atom is strongly bonded to only three neighboring atoms. Strongly bonded atoms in graphite
occur in sheets, which are only loosely attached to one another by weak van der Waal forces.
Question 1
pts
Laboratory Honor Statement
Cheating or plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated in ESS 101. This includes copying answers from
a friend or classmate, copying answers verbatim found on the internet or other literary sources, or
copying any work that may answer the question being asked. Make sure you always use your own words
when answering the questions in the homework and cite appropriate references if you use them to help
you answer the question. Anyone caught violating the academic code of conduct
(https://www.washington.edu/cssc/for-students/academic-misconduct/) will be reported to the UW
Academic Misconduct representative.
I acknowledge that I have carefully read and understand the above statement regarding the
consequences of cheating and plagiarism, and promise to complete my work in this class with honesty
and integrity. Answer "True" below supporting your acknowledgement.
True
False
Question 2
0..2 pts
Laboratory 3A: An Introduction to Minerals
Due Jan 28 at 11:59pm
Points 3.5
Questions 9
Available Jan 19 at 9am - Jan 28 at 11:59pm
Time Limit None
Allowed Attempts 2
Instructions
ATTENTION : You must complete this lab BEFORE you complete Laboratory 3B: Mineral
Identification (https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1699809/quizzes/1953712) . Lab 3A will teach you
about the characteristics we use to describe minerals. Lab 3B will have you use the
characteristics to identify minerals.
If you do not first complete Lab 3A, Lab 3B will be difficult/impossible.
This quiz was locked Jan 28 at 11:59pm.
Attempt History
Attempt Time Score
LATEST Attempt 1 12 minutes 3.5 out of 3.5
Score for this attempt: 3.5 out of 3.5
Submitted Jan 26 at 2:09pm
This attempt took 12 minutes.
Learning Goals
By completing this lab, students will learn:
The technical definition of a mineral
The different physical properties of a mineral and how they form
How to use common diagnostic properties to identify a mineral
,2/25/24, 6:22 PM Laboratory 3A: An Introduction to Minerals: ESS 101 B Wi 24: Introduction To Geology And Societal Impacts
Introduction
A. Minerals
Minerals are the basic building blocks that make up the solid Earth. Therefore, any study of the solid
Earth must begin with an understanding of minerals.
A mineral, by definition, is a (1) naturally occurring, (2) solid, (3) usually inorganic element or compound
with a (4) definite crystalline structure and (5) chemical composition which varies only within specific
limits. Common examples are quartz, diamond, garnet, talc, and halite (salt).
Some useful hints about what a mineral is/isn't:
1. Although compounds produced in a laboratory can have many of the characteristics of a
mineral, they are not naturally occurring and therefore are not minerals.
2. Minerals are solids, therefore liquids and gases are not considered minerals.
3. Nearly all minerals are inorganic, that is, not produced by living organisms.
4. Minerals have a distinct crystalline structure (Figure 3-1). Each mineral has an orderly,
predictable arrangement of atoms. For example, the minerals graphite and diamond are both
made of carbon but what makes them unique is a significant difference in the way the atoms
are arranged (Figure 3-1). (A mineraloid differs from a mineral in that it lacks crystalline
structure (i.e., is amorphous). For example, opal is a mineraloid; it has the same composition
as quartz but lacks the crystal structure.)
5. Minerals have a definite chemical composition that can be expressed as a specific chemical
formula. Quartz, for instance, is composed of silicon and oxygen and has the formula SiO2.
Some minerals have more complex compositions. Garnet's formula, for instance, is
A3B2(SiO4)3, where A and B represent a variety of elements such as Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn.
Although the exact composition of garnet can vary, the ratio between A and B is constant — 3
atoms of A for every 2 atoms of B.
, 2/25/24, 6:22 PM Laboratory 3A: An Introduction to Minerals: ESS 101 B Wi 24: Introduction To Geology And Societal Impacts
Figure 3-1. The atomic structure of (a) diamond and (b) graphite. Diagrammatic inserts show bonding relationships of
carbon atoms. In diamond, each carbon atom is strongly bonded (covalent bonds) to four adjacent carbon atoms. In
graphite, each carbon atom is strongly bonded to only three neighboring atoms. Strongly bonded atoms in graphite
occur in sheets, which are only loosely attached to one another by weak van der Waal forces.
Question 1
pts
Laboratory Honor Statement
Cheating or plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated in ESS 101. This includes copying answers from
a friend or classmate, copying answers verbatim found on the internet or other literary sources, or
copying any work that may answer the question being asked. Make sure you always use your own words
when answering the questions in the homework and cite appropriate references if you use them to help
you answer the question. Anyone caught violating the academic code of conduct
(https://www.washington.edu/cssc/for-students/academic-misconduct/) will be reported to the UW
Academic Misconduct representative.
I acknowledge that I have carefully read and understand the above statement regarding the
consequences of cheating and plagiarism, and promise to complete my work in this class with honesty
and integrity. Answer "True" below supporting your acknowledgement.
True
False
Question 2
0..2 pts
