This is the Senior High School Earth and Life Science self-learning module for Quarter 1, Module 3: Minerals. It is a First Edition, 2021 Alternative Delivery Mode module from DepEd Region IV-A CALABARZON, written by Josephine P. Jacinto. It helps learners study at home as they learn what makes a material a mineral, how minerals are identified by their properties, and why minerals matter in daily life.
On this page 7 sections
What learners will learn
After going through this module, learners are expected to:
- identify examples of minerals;
- explain the different characteristics of minerals;
- differentiate minerals based on their properties; and
- develop awareness of the importance of minerals around us.
Lessons in this module
The module says it has two lessons. It lists them as follows:
- Minerals and their Characteristics: what minerals are and the five criteria that a material must meet to be called a mineral.
- Different Properties of Minerals: the properties mineralogists observe to identify minerals, including the Mohs Scale of Hardness.
What are minerals?
The module calls minerals the building blocks of rocks. Minerals make up the rocks beneath our feet, the soil that supports plants, and the deep rock of Earth’s mantle. We also use products made from minerals every day:
- Graphite is the mineral in a wooden pencil.
- Halite is the mineral in table salt. It is also used as a preservative.
- Cellphones, cars, roads, and buildings are all made from minerals.
The five characteristics of a mineral
Mineralogists use these criteria to decide whether a material is a mineral:
- Naturally occurring: it forms through Earth’s natural processes.
- Inorganic: it is not a product of a living organism.
- Homogeneous solid: it has a definite volume and a rigid shape.
- Definite chemical composition: it can be written as a chemical formula.
- Orderly crystalline structure: its atoms are arranged in an orderly, repeating pattern.
A material that is organic, for example, is not a mineral.
Properties used to identify minerals
Mineralogists observe these properties:
- Color: a mineral’s color may change depending on its surface.
- Streak: the color of the mineral in powdered form. For example, powdered hematite is reddish.
- Hardness: resistance to scratching. The module calls it the most commonly used property for identifying minerals.
- Cleavage: the tendency to break along flat surfaces. Mica has planes of weak bonds, so its crystals peel like layers of an onion.
- Fracture: breaking other than along cleavage planes. Quartz breaks into smooth, curved surfaces.
- Crystalline structure or habit: the crystal is the solid form produced by a repeating pattern of atoms.
- Diaphaneity (transparency): the ability to let light pass through. The mineral’s chemical makeup affects it.
- Luster: how light reflects off the surface. Pyrite, or fool’s gold, has a metallic luster.
- Tenacity: how a mineral reacts to stress. It includes:
- brittleness: the mineral turns into powder;
- malleability: it can be flattened by pounding with a hammer;
- ductility: it can be stretched into wire;
- flexible but inelastic: it bends and stays in the new position;
- flexible and elastic: it bends and returns to its original position.
- Sectility: the ability to be sliced by a knife.
Mohs Scale of Hardness
Friedrich Mohs introduced this scale in 1822. He chose ten minerals and numbered them by how easily one can be scratched by another.
| Hardness | Mineral |
|---|---|
| 10 | Diamond (hardest) |
| 9 | Corundum |
| 8 | Topaz |
| 7 | Quartz |
| 6 | Orthoclase |
| 5 | Apatite |
| 4 | Fluorite |
| 3 | Calcite |
| 2 | Gypsum |
| 1 | Talc (softest) |
The module also gives a historical example of a hardness test. In the 1800s, miners bit a sample to tell real gold from pyrite. If the bite left a mark, the sample was real gold.
How to use this module
The module follows the usual self-learning module parts, in this order:
- What I Know: a 15-item multiple-choice pretest.
- What’s In: a crossword puzzle about minerals.
- What’s New: name the minerals found in a pencil, salt, a cellphone, a car, and a road.
- Characteristics of Minerals: a jumbled-letters activity.
- What is It: the discussion of characteristics and properties, plus a Mohs scale products table.
- What’s More: choose brittleness, malleability, ductility, luster, or sectility for each picture.
- What I Have Learned: fill in the blanks and a matching-type test.
- What I Can Do: list uses of minerals.
- Reflect Upon: explain how you can help conserve the natural sources of minerals.
- Assessment: a 15-item post-test.
- Additional Activities: a concept map, a mineral infographic as a mineralogist, and a photo activity with at least five everyday minerals.
For learners: Answer on a separate sheet of paper, and do not write on the module. Read each instruction carefully. Check your work with the answer key honestly, and ask your teacher or facilitator when you have difficulty.
For parents: Some activities ask your child to use the Internet or other sources, or to take photos of minerals at home. Help your child find these materials.
For teachers: Review the answer key before you release it. Two entries need checking:
- The combined pretest/post-test key gives A for item 5. That matches the post-test, where minerals is option A. In the pretest, minerals is option B.
- The separate post-test key gives B (fracture) for item 4. The module defines hardness (option C) as resistance to scratching.
Frequently asked questions
What grade and quarter is this Earth and Life Science module for?
It is Quarter 1, Module 3 of Earth and Life Science, a Senior High School subject. The module does not name a specific grade.
What are the five characteristics of a mineral?
A mineral is naturally occurring, inorganic, and a homogeneous solid. It also has a definite chemical composition and an orderly crystalline structure.
What is the difference between streak and color?
Color is how the mineral looks, and the module notes it may change depending on the surface. Streak is the color of the mineral in powdered form; powdered hematite, for example, is reddish.
What is the hardest mineral on the Mohs scale?
Diamond, with a hardness of 10. Talc is the softest at 1.
Does the module have an answer key?
Yes. Answer keys for the pretest, post-test, and activities are at the end of the module. Teachers should double-check items 4 and 5 of the test keys.
Full text of the module
The text below is a transcription of the PDF above, as printed.
Senior High School
Earth and Life Science
Quarter 1 – Module 3: Minerals
[illustration: group of learners reading, studying, and working outdoors and indoors, with a teacher, a globe, and a lamp]
CO_Q1_ELS SHS Module 3
Earth and Life Science Alternative Delivery Mode Quarter 1 – Module 3: Minerals First Edition, 2021
Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.
Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names, trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.
Published by the Department of Education Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio
Printed in the Philippines by _____
Department of Education – Region IV-A CALABARZON
Office Address: Gate 2 Karangalan Village, Barangay San Isidro Cainta, Rizal 1800 Telefax: 02-8682-5773/8684-4914/8647-7487 E-mail Address: region4a@deped.gov.ph
Development Team of the Module
Writers: Josephine P. Jacinto
Editors: Melanie I. Samudio, Jocelyn M. Manset
Reviewer: Jason Ricaforte, Angelica Beriña Princess Paolah L. De Guzman, Marissa C. Betchaida, Louie L. Alvarez Gregorio M. De Chavez, Jr, Jocelyn M. Manset, Mario B. Maramot, Elaine T. Balaogan, Job S. Zape Jr., Lea C. Villegas, Waylie Niña D. De Claro
Illustrator: Ednelinda Robles Lovely Joy La Rosa, Charles Erick A. Jusay, Sandro Carlo B. Tablizo
Layout Artist: Elizalde L. Piol, Anselma M. Ebero, Jocelyn M. Manset
Management Team: Francis Cesar B. Bringas Job S. Zape Jr. Eugenio S. Adrao Elaine T. Balaogan Merthel M. Evardome Nadine C. Celindro Nicolas M. Burgos Mario B. Maramot Fe M. Ong-ongowan Rosalinda A. Mendoza
Senior High School
Earth and Life Science Quarter 1 – Module 3: Minerals
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners, can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions, exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.
Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.
Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that you will be honest in using these.
In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can best help you on your home-based learning.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. And read the instructions carefully before performing each task.
If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.
Thank you.
What I Need to Know
[illustration: hand pressing a finger on a circular button icon]
This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master the properties of minerals. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.
The module is divided into two lessons, namely:
- Lesson 1 – Minerals and their Characteristics
– Different Properties of Minerals
After going through this module, you are expected to:
- identify the examples of minerals;
- explain the different characteristics of minerals;
- differentiate minerals based on their properties; and
- develop awareness on the importance of minerals around us.
What I Know
[illustration: hand holding a pencil]
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.
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
D. StreakQuartz can break other than along planes of cleavage. What is the property of mineral that shows this characteristic?
A. Cleavage
B. Fracture
C. Hardness
D. StreakSome 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
D. TenacityWhich property refers to the resistance of minerals to scratching?
A. Cleavage
B. Fracture
C. Hardness
D. LusterWhat are the building blocks of rocks and it is mostly found in the geosphere?
A. elements
B. minerals
C. ore
D. soilIn its powdered form, the mineral hematite is reddish. Which mineral property is described?
A. color
B. luster
C. streak
D. hardnessWhich is not a property that can be used to identify a mineral?
A. luster
B. streak
C. hardness
D. opaqueWhat is the property of minerals that reflects light on its surface?
A. Crystal structure
B. color
C. streak
D. lusterWhich refers to a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure and chemical composition?
A. compound
B. crystal
C. mineral
D. rocksDuring the 1800’s, miners can identify real gold from pyrite through biting the surface of the mineral. If a bite mark is exhibited, then the said mineral is considered real gold. What property is tested in this scenario?
A. cleavage
B. hardness
C. luster
D. streak colorWhat is a carbonate mineral that occurs in a different crystal form and is less common than either calcite or dolomite?
A. aragonite
B. calcite
C. gypsum
D. silicaWhat constitutes the size, shape and arrangement of mineral grains in a rock?
A. permeable origin
B. porosity
C. cement
D. textureWhich of the following is not a characteristic of a mineral?
A. crystal structure
B. naturally occurring
C. organic
D. solidWhat refers to the tendency for a mineral to break along flat surfaces?
A. cleavage
B. hardness
C. ductility
D. tenacityWhat is the solid form of a mineral produced by a repeating pattern of atoms?
A. crystal
B. density
C. element
D. fracture
Lesson 1: Minerals
Minerals make up the rocks beneath your feet, the soil that supports plants, and the deep rock of Earth’s mantle. Any thorough study of Earth must include an understanding of minerals. But it is not sufficient to study minerals isolated from the rest of the planet. Rather we can learn more by observing the ways that minerals interact with other Earth systems.
What’s In
[illustration: hand holding a puzzle piece]
In this module, you are going to encounter activities that will enhance the teaching-learning process about minerals. You will deal with the characteristics of minerals and its exhibited properties. As you answer the questions, you will be expected to explore and understand the concepts about minerals, thus establishing awareness on the importance of minerals in the process.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Directions: Complete the crossword puzzle by identifying what is being described.
[illustration: crossword grid with numbered cells 1 to 5; cell 1 starts the across row, cell 3 is at the right end of that row, cell 2 is above the grid, cell 4 is at the left end of the lower across row, and cell 5 is above the left column]
Across
- It is solid inorganic substance of natural occurrence.
- It is a mineral found in pencil.
Down 2. It is a mineral found in salt. 3. It has definite shape and volume. 5. It is also known as sodium chloride.
[transcriber’s note: this excerpt continues from earlier pages. The “Lesson” heading and the document title appear on pages not included here, so the activity headings below use ### without a parent heading.]
What’s New
Identify the following objects below. Then using the Internet or other possible sources, determine what type of minerals are present in each of the presented objects in the table. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
[transcriber’s note: the table has no printed header row; the header below is supplied]
| Item | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. [illustration: pencil] | |
| 2. [illustration: bowl of salt spilling out] | |
| 3. [illustration: cellphone] | |
| 4. [illustration: car, front view] | |
| 5. [illustration: road] |
We are using these products made from minerals daily. Graphite is the mineral used in wooden pencil. Halite is the mineral found in salt. Your cellphone is made up of different minerals. The cars that we drive, the roads that we travel, the building that we live in, are some examples of products derived from minerals.
Characteristics of Minerals
Arrange the jumbled letters to find the appropriate criteria to determine whether a material is classified as a mineral or not. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
N L T L A U R Y N G O I R U C C
_____________________-a term which identifies minerals as part of Earth’s natural processes.C A I I R O G N
_____________________- means a substance is not a product of an organism but rather of Earth’s physical processes.S O U E N E G O M O H D I L O S
_____________________- have definite shape and volume.E N I L L A T S Y R C E S R T R U C U T
_____________________- atoms are arranged in order of increasing pattern.L M C E H A I N O I T O C M O P S I
_____________________- represented by chemical formula
What is It
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 not.
Characteristics of Minerals
- naturally occurring- term which identifies mineral as part of earth’s natural processes.
- inorganic- means a substance is not a product of an organism.
- homogeneous solid- minerals should have definite volume and rigid shape
- definite chemical composition—represented by a chemical formula
- orderly crystalline structure- atoms of minerals are arranged in an orderly and repeating pattern
Properties of Minerals
To identify minerals, mineralogists observe the following properties:
a. Color – mineral’s color may change depending on the surface. b. Streak – color of mineral in powdered form. c. Hardness – minerals resistance to scratching
Mohs Scale of Hardness (Diamond is the Hardest with a scale of 10)
- 10 – Diamond
- 9 – Corundum
- 8 – Topaz
- 7 – Quartz
- 6 – Orthoclase
- 5 – Apatite
- 4 – Fluorite
- 3 – Calcite
- 2 – Gypsum
- 1 – Talc
d. Cleavage – mineral’s resistance to being broken and fracture e. Crystalline structure or habit f. Diaphaneity/amount of transparency – ability to allow light to pass through it. This is affected by chemical makeup of the mineral sample. g. Luster – how light is reflected off a surface h. Tenacity- describes the minerals 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 position.
i. Sectility- ability of minerals to be sliced by a knife.
Did you know? The Mohs scale (pronounced MOZE) was introduced in 1822. It originated when Friedrich Mohs chose ten minerals and assigned numbers to them based on the relative ease or difficulty in which stone can be scratched by another.
Prepare a list of minerals based on the Mohs Scale of Hardness and identify some products that make use of these minerals. Do this on a separate sheet
| Minerals | Products that contain the Mineral. |
|---|---|
| 1. Diamond | |
| 2.Corundum | |
| 3.Topaz | |
| 4.Quartz | |
| 5.Orthoclase | |
| 6 Apatite | |
| 7.Fluorite | |
| 8.Calcite | |
| 9. Gypsum | |
| 10. Talc |
What’s More
Understanding Science Words
The pictures below show the common minerals and their properties or uses.
Identify other properties exhibited by the minerals. Choose your answer from the given choices.
BRITTLENESS MALLEABILITY DUCTILITY LUSTER SECTILITY
[illustration: bundle of wires]
- All true minerals can be drawn into wires
[photo: mineral specimen with a sheen]
- Over all sheen of mineral
[illustration: pair of metal rings]
- A mineral can be hammered /flattened
[photo: mineral specimen]
- A mineral can be cut by a knife
[photo: crumbled mineral]
- A mineral can be turned into powder
What I Have Learned
Fill in the Blanks
Identify the prominent properties exhibited by the following minerals. Fill in the blanks to form the appropriate term that best fits the described mineral property.
L _____ _____ T _____ R
a manner by which mineral reflects light.[photo: pyrite specimen]
Pyrite – a. k a. fool’s goldS _____ R _____ _____ K
color of mineral in powdered form.[photo: hematite specimens]
Hematite- both types leave the same powder_____ L _____ _____ V _____ G _____
tendency of mineral to break along flat surfaces[photo: mica crystal]
Mica crystal can be peel like layers of onion_____ R _____ C _____ U _____ _____
the manner breaks other than along planes of cleavage.[photo: quartz specimen]
Quartz creates smooth, curved surfacesH _____ R _____ _____ _____ S_____
resistance of mineral to scratching and it is the most commonly used property for identifying minerals.[photo: diamond specimen]
Diamond has a scale of 10
HARDNESS FARCATURE CLEAVAGE STREAK LUSTER
Matching Type
Match the properties of minerals in column A with the description of mineral properties in column B.
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| _____1. Mohs hardness scale | A. describes the mineral reaction to stress |
| _____2. Sectility | B. true color of mineral |
| _____3. Streak | C. a ranking of mineral from softest hardest |
| _____4. Crystal | D. ability of mineral to be cut by knife |
| _____5. Tenacity | E. repeating pattern in minerals in solid |
What I Can Do
List some of the uses of minerals around us.
| Minerals | Uses |
|---|---|
| 1.Halite | Mineral found in table salt; as preservatives |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5. |
Reflect Upon
Upon knowing the value of minerals in our everyday life, as a student, how can you help in conserving and preserving the natural sources of these minerals? (For example, graphite is a mineral found in pencil). Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Assessment
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.
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
- D. Streak
Quartz can break other than along planes of cleavage. What is the property of mineral that show this characteristic?
- A. Cleavage
- B. Fracture
- C. Hardness
- D. Tenacity
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
- D. Tenacity
Which property refers to the resistance of mineral to scratching?
- A. Cleavage
- B. Fracture
- C. Hardness
- D. Luster
What are the building blocks of rocks and it is mostly found in the geosphere?
- A. minerals
- B. soil
- C. ore
- D. elements
In its powdered form, the mineral hematite is reddish. Which mineral property is best described?
- A. color
- B. luster
- C. Streak
- D. hardness
Which is not a property that can be used to identify a mineral?
- A. luster
- B. streak
- C. hardness
- D. opaque
What is the property of mineral that reflects light on its surface?
- A. Crystal structure
- B. color
- C. streak
- D. luster
What is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure and chemical composition?
- A. compound
- B. crystal
- C. mineral
- D. rocks
During the 1800’s, miners can identify real gold from pyrite through biting the surface of the mineral. If a bite mark is exhibited, then the said mineral is considered real gold. What property is tested in this scenario?
- A. cleavage
- B. luster
- C. hardness
- D. streak color
What is a carbonate mineral that occurs in a different crystal form and is less common than either calcite or dolomite?
- A. aragonite
- B. gypsum
- C. calcite
- D. silica
What constitutes the size, shape and arrangement of mineral grains in a rock?
- A. permeable origin
- B. porosity
- C. cement
- D. texture
- Which of the following is not a characteristic of a mineral?
- A. naturally occurring
- B. solid
- C. Organic
- D. crystal structure
- What do you call tendency for a mineral to break along flat surfaces?
- A. cleavage
- B. hardness
- C. ductility
- D. tenacity
- What is the solid form of a mineral produced by a repeating pattern of atoms?
- A. crystal
- B. density
- C. element
- D. fracture
Additional Activities
Putting together
Directions: Complete the concept map below.
[chart: concept map; Putting together]
PROPERTIES
MINERALS
- Shows the true color
- Resistance to scratching
- Can be flatten into thin sheets
- Show how light is reflected on the surface
- Can be drawn into wires
[transcriber’s note: the five property boxes beside the list are empty and were left for the learner to complete]
Brainstorming
Assume you are a mineralogist that discovered a new type of mineral. To inform not only the academe but also the common people, you are then tasked to make an infographic that will state its characteristics, properties, and significance (whether economic, health and scientific). Present these important data through a concept map. Do this on a separate sheet of paper.
[transcriber’s note: an empty answer box is printed here for the learner’s response]
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. A sample template is provided below. Do this on a clean sheet of bond paper.
[photo: empty frame for a learner’s mineral photo]
Name: ______________________________
Characteristics: ______________________
Significance: _________________________
[photo: empty frame for a learner’s mineral photo]
Name: _____________________________
Characteristics: ____________________
Significance: _______________________
Answer Key
[transcriber’s note: this page is printed upside down; the parts are transcribed below in the order of the module]
Pre Test/Post test
- C 6. C 11.A
- B 7. D 12. D
- A 8. D 13.C
- C 9. C 14.A
- A 10.C 15 A
What’s New
- A.1. Pencil
- Table salt
- Cellphone
- Car
- Bridge
B.
- Naturally occurring
- Inorganic
- Homogeneous solid
- crystalline structure
- chemical composition
What’s More
- Ductility
- Luster
- Malleability
- Sectility
- brittleness
What I Have Learned
- Luster
- Streak
- Cleavage
- Fracture
- Hardness
Matching Type
- C
- D
- B
- E
- A
What I can do
-
- Answer may vary.
Post Test
- C
- B
- A
- B
- A
- C
- D
- D
- C
- C
- A
- D
- C
- A
- A
Additional activities
- Streak
- Hardness
- Malleability
- Luster
- Ductility
References
Thompson G.R. and Turk J. (2012).Introduction to Earth Science. Cengage Learning Asia PTE Ltd.(Philippine Branch)
Religioso, T. F. and Vengco, L. G.(2016) You and the Natural World: Earth and Life Science. Phoenix Publishing House
Olivar II, J.S., Rodolfo, R.S. and Cabria, H.B. (2016) Exploring Life Through Science Series: Earth Sence. Phoenix Publishing House
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
Department of Education – Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR)
Ground Floor, Bonifacio Bldg., DepEd Complex Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines 1600
Telefax: (632) 8634-1072; 8634-1054; 8631-4985
Email Address: blr.lrqad@deped.gov.ph * blr.lrpd@deped.gov.ph
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