Exhibit 1: Halite
You do the following tests and find
these results:
Streak: no mark
Hardness: 6.5
Cleavage/Fracture: breaks into 2
rectangular pieces irregularly
Magnetic: no
Float/Sink: sinks
Mass: 18.6g
Reaction to HCL: no reaction
Is this Halite?
5 answers
Based on the results of the tests, it is likely that this is not Halite. Halite typically has a streak of white or colorless, a hardness of 2.5, cleavage in three directions forming perfect cubes, is not magnetic, floats in water, and reacts with hydrochloric acid. The results of the tests conducted on this sample do not align with those characteristics of Halite.
what would it most likely be
Based on the results of the tests conducted on the sample, it could potentially be a mineral like pyrite or galena. Pyrite has a hardness of 6-6.5, no streak, metallic luster, and is commonly found in cubic crystals. Galena also has a hardness of 2.5, no streak, cubic cleavage, is heavy and sinks, and does not react with hydrochloric acid. Further testing and examination would be needed to definitively identify the mineral.
1b. Is this a rock or mineral?
The sample provided in Exhibit 1 is a mineral. Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic solids with a definite chemical composition and a crystalline structure. In this case, the sample's characteristics align with those of a mineral rather than a rock.
5 answers