Rocks and Minerals Internet Hunt

“The fascination of any search after truth lies not in the attainment, which at best is found to be very relative, but in the pursuit, where all the powers of the mind and character are brought into play and are absorbed in the task. One feels oneself in contact with something that is infinite and one finds a joy that is beyond expression in ‘sounding the abyss of science’ and the secrets of the infinite mind.” Florence Bascom, American Geologist

Directions: Use the links provided to find the answers to the questions.
Use the Back button of your browser to return to this page.
If a link is broken, use your Internet searching skills to find the answer.
(Printer version)

1. List the three rock groups.

 

2. Describe the rock cycle. Watch the Rock Cycle movie.

 

 

3. Write 3 minerals found in a house. Name the specific product where it is used.

 

 

4. What is the difference between a mineral and a rock? pdf resource

 

 

5. The gem Corundum is called a sapphire unless it is colored red.
What do they call a red colored corundum?

 

6. How old is the Hope Diamond?

 

7. Asbestos is a mineral that people used to protect themselves from fire. Later scientists discovered it was dangerous.
How is it dangerous
?

(Use FactMonster.com.'s search to find the answer. Enter asbestos in the search box.
Click Go. Check out the information in the encyclopedia.)

 

 

8. F. Mohs developed a scale to measure hardness of gemstones. What is the scale called?

 

Explore the scale here.

 

9. What mineral has the least hardness according to the scale?



What mineral has the greatest hardness?

 

 

10. How are sedimentary rocks formed?

 

 

Name two sedimentary rocks.

 

 

11. How are igneous rocks formed?

 

 

What does the word ignite mean? Look it up in a dictionary.

 

12. Ever hear the phrase "it sank like a stone"?

What rock can actually float?

 

Check out the first two paragraphs and the pictures which explain density.

Respond - Why would one rock sink while another rock floats?

 

 

13. Name the tests that scientists use to identify minerals.
Explain two of them.
(Tip - Click Next to move through the info)

 

 

 

14. What is an unusual property of the mineral ulexite?

 

15. What causes sedimentary and igneous rocks to change?

 

 

Challenge questions:

16. Nicholaus Steno set down two geologic principles. What are they?

1.

 

2.

 

 

Your class is taking a quiz about rocks and minerals. You are feeling really good because you knew so many answers. You are glad you studied last night. You take your finished paper to your teacher's desk to turn it in. You are not the first done, but that is not important. As you place your paper on the pile of tests, it occurs to you that this is just like a geologic principle that Steno found.

Explain.

17. On several of the sites you visited in the hunt, they gave the name for molten rock. What is it?

 

 

18. Do this Math Mastery - Scratching The Surface problem

 

 

19. What role does the mineral fluoride play in your health?

 

20. Accept the challenge: Every day you eat minerals. Your folks don't plop a bowl of minerals down for breakfast.
So how are you eating these minerals? Figure it out here by reading about boron.

 

 

21. Check out Rock varnish - Have you observed this phenomena?

 

* Do this web activity Rock Cycle interactive and engaging. Test your skills. Score-

* Complete a Frayer chart for: sedimentary, igneous or metamorphic rocks. doc format, pdf format.

* Food for thought.

Suppose I told you about a teacher at school. (You will have her for Earth Science next year.)
I describe her as sedimentary. You would then picture her as which of these?

Fiery and exciting / Slow - steadily teaching one step at a time / Changing throughout the year.

* Sometimes we techies talk about morphing. We morph pictures, for example.
Using your understanding of rock terms - what does morphing mean?

 

Name an animal that "morphs" __________________________________

* Your teacher says you will be taking a field trip to make some geologic observations.
Name the closest national park to your home, where you could find some interesting geologic phenomena or rocks/minerals.

 

Identify a place near your home or school, where you could find some interesting geologic phenomena or rocks/minerals.

What tools/equipment should you take along? Be thorough.

* Science Observation Skills Builders: Rock | Pool | Water | Trees on mountain

* Gold is a Native Element. Name all three minerals in the Gold group. List two traits of these minerals

 

 

* Dig into: USGS - Do We Take Minerals for Granted? Write a paragraph about conserving minerals.

 

"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson

Done already? Good for you!

Explore the fluorescence site. http://simplethinking.com/franklinminerals/uv%20barite.shtml
Volcanoes Quiz at National Geographic. http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer/0405/quickflicks/
Harness the resources on this site to improve your rock knowledge Learn more about Geology
Expand upon your mineralogy facts and figures using these resources Rock Cycle - Earth Science
Rocks and Minerals crossword puzzle Rock Solid audio story
Rock Hound Collection Safety Pennsylvania Geology - Dig into it
Mystery of the Megaflood - What on Earth Made This? fun All about glaciers - NSIDC
It's ALL MINE - a thinkquest site about mining, along with rocks & minerals Shake, Rattle and Slide website
Explore the Geology Lab at FossWeb Embark on this electronic field trip - Into the Canyon
Icy Depths video McKITTRICK TAR SEEPS
Rock Cycle interactive and engaging Mineral Gallery - in depth
Hands On Earth Science Earth's Layers Internet activity
Earth Science Videos at DragonflyTV Earth Exponential - Richter Scale worksheet
Video about Exponents @ MathFLIX
Golden Cube Mystery

Make a "to see list", if you were to visit this mineral exhibit in person. Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems

 

Jobs related - The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs for Surveyors, cartographers, photogrammetrists, and surveying technicians
grew by 21% in 2006 Much faster than average growth. Increasing demand for fast, accurate, and complete geographic information is
expected to lead to new jobs for these workers.

Geoscientists jobs grew by 22% in 2006. Much faster than average growth. The need for energy, environmental protection, and land and water management is expected to spur growth. Those with a master’s degree should have excellent opportunities, especially in the management, scientific, and technical consulting industry. Budget constraints are expected to limit opportunities in governments.


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2000 Cindy O'Hora, This activity may be used in a nonprofit setting. Updated 1/2013, created 4/2000

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