Densities Of Common Minerals - Nevada Mining Association printable pdf download

Densities Of Common Minerals - Nevada Mining Association

Densities of common minerals

D.D LaPointe and Beth Price

Introduction

Density is one of several intrinsic physical properties of minerals that relate to

the composition of the mineral and to the pattern in which the mineral’s atoms

are arranged. “Intrinsic” means that the property is the same for the mineral no

matter what the size or shape of the sample.

The density of a mineral is the ratio of its mass to its volume. It is a measure of how

much “stuff” is squeezed into the amount of space the mineral occupies.

Objective: Students will measure and compare the densities of minerals.

Nevada State Science Education Standards addressed (see the Nevada State Department

of Education website for the standards

): 10.4.1, 10.5.1, 10.8.1,

21.5.1, 21.8.1, 21.3.2, 21.5.2, 21.12.2, 22.8.1, 22.5.2, 23.8.1, 23.8.2, 23.12.2, 23.5.4,

23.8.4, 23.12.4, 23.12.7, 23.12.8, 24.8.1, 24.8.4, 24.5.6

Materials needed:

One 1-2 liter graduated cylinder with gradations of no more than 10 mL

Scale capable of weighing about 1-200 grams

Samples of several different identified minerals of various densities, as large as will fit in

the graduated cylinder without getting stuck (up to 200 grams).

Reference materials: Internet, mineral field guide books, charts of physical properties

Estimating relative density

You can estimate the density of minerals by using your senses of sight and touch. You

should be able to determine the relative density of some common minerals by

comparing their size (estimated by sight) to how heavy they feel in your hand. You

have an assortment of several different minerals available to you. Handle the samples

to get an idea of how dense each one is, or how heavy each mineral feels for its

size. Arrange the different mineral samples in a line on the table according to their

relative densities, from least to greatest. Record your results by sample number, or

mineral name.

Densities Of Common Minerals - Nevada Mining Association