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The Density of Minerals
http://www.maine.gov/doc/nrimc/mgs/education/lessons/act19.htm
From DLESE Community Collection (DCC)
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In this activity, students will learn to measure the density of various minerals. The activity will reinforce the usefulness of density as a physical test for identification of minerals. Using a selection of mineral specimens of varying densities, they will weigh each one in air, immerse it in a graduated cylinder of water, and measure the amount of water displaced by the specimen. Dividing the weight of the specimen by the volume of displaced water yields the density of the specimen. A student worksheet and discussion questions are provided.
Intended for grade levels:
  • Middle (6-8)
  • High (9-12)
Type of resource:
  • For the classroom:
    • Lab activity
Subject:
  • Geological Sciences:
    • Mineralogy or petrology
Technical requirements:
No specific technical requirements, just a browser required
Cost / Copyright:
No cost
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.
DLESE Catalog ID: DLESE-000-000-008-659
Educational standards:
  • National Science Education Standards (NSES):
    • 5-8:
      • Unifying concepts and processes:
        • Change, constancy, and measurement
      • A - Science as inquiry:
        • Understanding about scientific inquiry
      • B - Physical science:
        • Properties and changes of properties in matter
    • 9-12:
      • Unifying concepts and processes:
        • Change, constancy, and measurement
      • A - Science as inquiry:
        • Understandings about scientific inquiry
      • B - Physical science:
        • Structure and properties of matter
Resource contact / Creator / Publisher:
Publisher: Maine Department of Conservation
Maine Geological Survey
http://www.state.me.us/doc/nrimc/mgs/mgs.htm