Rocks and Minerals by UTH Rocks and Minerals by UTH    

Lesson 6: Physical Properties: Luster

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. One identifying physical property of rocks and minerals is luster. Luster is defined as the way in which the surface of any particular type of mineral reflects light.

Vocabulary

Physical Property: Characteristics of matter not involving a change in chemical composition.
Chemical Composition: The identities, and relative numbers, of the elements that make up any particular compound.
Luster: The way in which the surface of any particular type of mineral reflects light.
Subvitreous: Having an almost vitreous (glass-like) luster.

Rock or Mineral of the Week

Overview

• Jadeite, a form of Jade, is a mineral, often green or white, with the chemical composition NaAlSi2O6.
• Today, jade is used to make art, sculptures, and jewelry, although in times past it was used to make tools and weapons.
• See what jadeite looks like before it is cut and polished

Physical Characteristics

• Color: Often green or white, but many other colors exist
• Hardness: 6.5-7.0
• Luster: Waxy and subvitreous, pearly on cleavages
• Cleavage: Rarely Observed
• Streak: White
• Tenacity: Brittle

Locations

• Myanmar (Burma), Japan, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Guatemala, and the United States

Interesting Facts

• Jade is used for sculptures.

• Jade is also used to make beautiful jewelry.

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?

Jadeite's chemical composition is NaAlSi2O6. Find the following elements on the periodic table:

• Sodium (Na)
• Aluminum (Al)
• Silicon (Si)
• Oxygen (O)
• In which group and period is Sodium (Na)?

Activity 3: Map the Lesson

• Jadeite is found in Myanmar (Burma), Japan, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Guatemala, and the United States.
• 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 luster a physical property or a chemical property?

1 / 4

Answer 1

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

1 / 4

Question 2

Describe something about jadeite, a form of jade (NaAlSi2O6).

2 / 4

Answer 2

Jadeite is typically a green or white mineral with a waxy or subvitreous luster used in jewelry and sculptures.

2 / 4

Question 3

Is jadeite (NaAlSi2O6) a compound?

3 / 4

Answer 3

Yes, jadeite (NaAlSi2O6) is a compound containing more than one type of element.

3 / 4

Question 4

How many different elements does jadeite (NaAlSi2O6) contain?

4 / 4

Answer 4

Jadeite (NaAlSi2O6) contains four types of elements - Sodium (Na), Aluminum (Al), Silicon (Si), and Oxygen (O).

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. Is luster a physical property or a chemical property? Luster is a physical property, for it does not involve a change in chemical composition.
2. Describe something about jadeite, a form of jade (NaAlSi2O6). Jadeite is typically a green or white mineral with a waxy or subvitreous luster used in jewelry and sculptures.
3. Is jadeite (NaAlSi2O6) a compound? Yes, jadeite (NaAlSi2O6) is a compound containing more than one type of element.
4. How many different elements does jadeite (NaAlSi2O6) contain? Jadeite (NaAlSi2O6) contains four types of elements - Sodium (Na), Aluminum (Al), Silicon (Si), and Oxygen (O).

References

'Lustre (mineralogy).' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lustre_(mineralogy). n.p.

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

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