EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE
MINERALS
After going through this lesson,
you are expected to:
1. Identify the example of
minerals;
2. Explain the different
characteristics of minerals;
3. Differentiate minerals based
on their properties; and
4. Develop awareness on the
COMPETENCY
Identify common rock-forming
minerals using their physical and
chemical properties.
• Minerals make up the rocks
beneath your feet, the soil that
supports plants, and the deep
rock of Earth’s mantle.
Name the following picture below. List
down the usage of these object in our
daily activities. What objects present
below imply?
• We are using these products made
from minerals daily.
The cars we drive derived
from minerals.
Graphite is the mineral used
in wooden pencil.
Halite is the mineral found in
salt.
Your cellphone is made up of
different minerals.
The building that we live in,
are some example of products
derived from minerals.
• What are MINERALS?
Minerals are the building
blocks of rocks.
Mineralogists use the
criteria to determine
whether a material is
classified as a mineral or
• Characteristics of MINERALS
1. Naturally occurring - a product of Earth’s
natural process.
2. Inorganic – it must be product of Earth’s
physical process.
3. Homogenous solid – minerals should have
definite volume and rigid shape
4. Definite chemical composition –
represented by a chemical formula
5. Orderly crystalline structure – atoms of
minerals arranged in an orderly and
PROPERTIES OF
MINERALS
COLOR
Mineral’s color may change
depending on the surface.
STREAK
Color of the mineral in
powdered form.
HARDNESS
Minerals resistance to
CLEAVAGE
Mineral’s resistance to being
broken and fracture.
Crystalline structure or
habit
Diaphaneity/amount
of transparency
Ability to allow light to pass
through it. This is affected by
chemical’s makeup of the
LUSTER
How light is reflected off a
• TENACITY - describes the
mineral’s reaction to stress
Brittleness - a mineral turns into powder
Malleability – a mineral can be flattened
by pounding with a hammer
Ductility – a mineral can be stretched into
wire
Flexible but inelastic – minerals are bent
but they remain in the new position
Flexible and elastic – minerals are bent,
and they bring back to their original
Understanding Science
Words
Identify the prominent properties
exhibited by the following
minerals. Fill in the blanks to
form the appropriate term that
1. A manner by which mineral
reflects light.
L ___ ___ T ___ R
2. The color of mineral in
powdered form.
S ___ R ___ ___ K
3. The tendency of mineral to break
along flat surfaces.
___ L ___ ___ V ___ G
___
4. The manner breaks other than
along planes of cleavage
___ R ___ C ___ U ___
___
5. The resistance of mineral to
scratching and it is the most
commonly used property for
identifying minerals.
H __ R __ __ __ S __
List some of the uses of minerals
around us.
MINERALS USES
Mineral found in table salt; as
1.Halite preservatives
2.
3.
4.
5.
PERFORMANCE TASK
• Upon knowing the value of
minerals in our everyday life,
as a student how can you help
in conserving and preserving
the natural resources of these
minerals? (For example,
graphite is a mineral found in
1. Pyrite is a yellowish mineral that
looks like gold and is commonly
called fool’s gold. What is the
property of mineral exhibited by
pyrite wherein it reflects light
and with metallic look?
a. Color
b. Hardness
c. Luster
2. In its powdered form, the mineral
hematite is reddish. Which mineral
property is best described?
a. Color
b. Luster
c. Streak
d. Hardness
3. Which is not a property that can
be used to identify a mineral?
a. Luster
b. Streak
c. Hardness
d. Opaque
4. What is naturally occurring,
inorganic solid that has a definite
crystalline structure and chemical
composition?
a. Compound
b. Crystal
c. Mineral
d. Rocks
5. Quartz can break other than
along planets of cleavage. What is
the property of mineral that show
this characteristic?
a. Cleavage
b. Fracture
c. Hardness
d. Tenacity
6. Which property refers to the
resistance of minerals to
scratching?
a. Cleavage
b. Fracture
c. Hardness
d. Tenacity
7. Some minerals like mica has
surfaces with planes of weak bonds
in the crystals. Thus, its crystals
can be peeled like layers of onion.
What is the property exhibited by
mica?
a. Cleavage
b. Fracture
c. Hardness
8. What constitutes the size,
arrangement of mineral grains in a
rock?
a. Cement
b. Permeable origin
c. Porosity
d. texture
9. Which of the following is not a
characteristic of a mineral?
a. Crystal structure
b. Naturally occurring
c. Organic
d. solid
10. What refers to the tendency for
a mineral to break along flat
surfaces?
a. Cleavage
b. Ductility
c. Hardness
d. Tenacity
Putting together
Directions: Complete the concept map below.
PROPERTIES
1. Shows the true color
2. Resistance to scratching
3. Can be flatten into thin sheets
4. Show how light is reflected on the surface
5. Can be drawn into wires
Finding the Perfect
Match
Take at least 5 photos of minerals
that are found in our day to day
living. Identify the said minerals and
state their unique characteristics and
significance.
Name: ____________________________
Characteristics: ___________________
Significance:_______________________
