Create your own mineral testing kit.
©2007 Publications International, Ltd.
Mineral Testing Kit
Super rock hounds will want to put together this simple mineral testing kit for identifying minerals and testing their properties.
What You'll Need for the Bag:
- Canvas or denim scraps
- Needle and thread
- Thick string
First, make a small, sturdy bag to carry your kit in:
Step 1: Cut two 6-inch by 8-inch pieces of canvas or denim and put them together, wrong side out.
Step 2: Sew three sides together.
Step 3: Fold over one inch of fabric on the top. Sew together to form a casing.
Step 4: Slit one of the seams open in the casing and slip a drawstring through it.
What You'll Need for the Kit:
- Penny
- Small piece of glass
- Piece of unglazed tile
- File or pocket knife
- Small bottle of vinegar
- Eyedropper
- Rocks
- Reference book about rocks
After you've assembled the supplies above, here's how you can use your kit to test rocks and minerals:
Step 1: Use the tile to test the 'streak' of the mineral. Do this by scratching the tile with your rock and seeing what color the scratches are.
Step 2: Vinegar is used to test for the presence of calcium carbonate. Put a drop of vinegar on the rock. If it fizzes, the rock contains calcium carbonate.
Step 3: Test the hardness of the rock, which is measured on a scale from 1 (the softest) to 10 (the hardest). Here's how it works:
- If your fingernail can scratch the rock, it's a 1 or 2.
- If a penny can scratch the rock, it's a 3.
- If a knife blade or file can scratch the rock, it's a 4 or 5.
- If a piece of glass can scratch the rock, it's a 6.
- If the rock can scratch knife or file, or if the rock can barely scratch glass, it's a 7.
The highest numbers (8-10) are used for rocks that are harder than the common minerals that you're likely to find.
Now you can use what you learn to identify the rocks in a reference book.
The next science project in science projects for kids: crystals and minerals is an experiment in deliciousness.
