Rocks and Minerals by UTH Rocks and Minerals by UTH    

Lesson 11: Physical Properties: Tenacity

Directions

Study the lesson for one week.

Over the week:

• Read the lesson.
• Review the synopsis.
• Recite aloud the vocabulary words and their definitions.
• Study the rock and mineral of the week.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

Rocks and minerals may be identified by one or more of their physical properties. Yet another identifying physical property of rocks and minerals is tenacity. Tenacity is defined as is the ability of a mineral to resist shaping, bending, or breaking. For example, the featured mineral for the lesson, native silver (Ag) is both ductile (able to be drawn into thin wire) and malleable (able to be hammered into thin sheets).

Vocabulary

Physical Property: Characteristics of matter not involving a change in chemical composition.
Tenacity: The ability of a mineral to resist shaping, bending, or breaking.
Ductile: Capable of being pulled or stretched into thin wire by mechanical force without breaking.
Malleable: Able to be hammered into thin sheets.

Rock or Mineral of the Week

• Native silver is both a soft metallic mineral and an element found on the periodic table.
• Silver can be found by itself (native silver) and also combined with other rocks and minerals in a type of rock called an ore.
• Silver gets it periodic table symbol 'Ag' from its Latin word - Argentum.
• Silver is valued and prized by people.
• Although less valuable than gold, silver is a beautiful color, and can be worked into jewelry such as necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets.

Physical Characteristics

• Color: White to light gray
• Hardness: 2.5 - 3
• Luster: Metallic
• Cleavage: None
• Streak: Shiny silvery white to light gray
• Tenacity: Ductile and malleable

Locations

• The United States, Canada, Peru, Norway, and Poland

Enrichment

Activity 1: Narrate the Lesson

• After reading or listening to the lesson, narrate the lesson aloud using your own words.

Activity 2: Can You Find It?

Find the following elements on the periodic table:

• Silver (Ag)
• Gold (Au)
• Copper (Cu)
• Zinc (Zn)
• In which group and period is Silver (Ag)?

Activity 3: Map the Lesson

• Silver is currently found in the United States, Canada, Peru, Norway, and Poland.
• Zoom in to find these countries on the map of the world.

Activity 4: Take a Nature Walk

• Embark on a nature walk.
• Collect one rock or mineral specimen.
• Use the gathered specimen to create the field book entry.

Activity 5: Complete a Field Book Entry   

After your nature walk, complete page 6 in 'Fifth Grade Science Rocks and Minerals Notebook Pages.'

Review

Question 1

Is tenacity a physical property or a chemical property?

1 / 4

Answer 1

Tenacity is a physical property, for it does not involve a change in chemical composition.

1 / 4

Question 2

Describe something about native silver (Ag).

2 / 4

Answer 2

Native silver is a both a light gray, soft, and metallic mineral and an element on the periodic table.

2 / 4

Question 3

Is silver (Ag) a compound?

3 / 4

Answer 3

No, silver (Ag) is a single element.

3 / 4

Question 4

How many different elements does silver (Ag) contain?

4 / 4

Answer 4

Silver (Ag) only contains one type of element.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. Is tenacity a physical property or a chemical property? Tenacity is a physical property, for it does not involve a change in chemical composition.
2. Describe something about native silver (Ag). Native silver is a both a light gray, soft, and metallic mineral and an element on the periodic table.
3. Is silver (Ag) a compound? No, silver (Ag) is a single element.
4. How many different elements does silver (Ag) contain? Silver (Ag) only contains one type of element.

References

'Silver.' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver. n.p.

'Tenacity.' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenacity. n.p.

Cited Physical Properties. Geology.com. geology.com/rocks. n.p.