What is a mineral?
A mineral is an earth material composed of a particular arrangement of atoms. Pure minerals are the same throughout the world.

What is a rock?
A rock is simply a combination of two or more minerals.

What is a gem?
A gem is usually a mineral. Generally a gem is rare and has value for its beauty.

What were the names of the minerals that we explored in our lesson?

• Mica (the flat mineral) - was used in colonial ovens and is used today as a thickener in paint
  
• Graphite (the black mineral) - mixed with clay and used in pencils for writing
  
• Talc (the white mineral) - the main ingredient in baby powder and the softest mineral in the world
  
• Halite (the colorless mineral) - natural salt, grind it up and try it on your vegetables
  
• Pumice (the light frothy rock) a rock, not a mineral - used to remove dead skin from feet and to make erasers more abrasive, it also floats!

What other ways are there to tell minerals apart?
In our lesson we explored how color, hardness, cleavage(shape), and luster (shine) are used to separate minerals from one another. Scientists have many other ways as well. Some minerals bubble when placed in a mild acid, some minerals are magnetic, certain minerals glow when placed under an ultraviolet light, some minerals conduct electricity. These traits, as well as others, help geologists know for sure which mineral they are studying.

Are there really minerals in my cereal?
There sure are.There are minerals in most food. Our bodies use minerals to carry our their daily job of keeping us healthy and active. Since plants get minerals from the ground and cereal is made mostly of plants, minerals end up in our cereal. Many times cereal and other food manufacturers add minerals to their products to make the products more healthy.

How can I start my own rock collection?
Rock and mineral collections can be very fun and interesting to create. Once you get started, you will be surprised at just how interesting a rock can be. The best way to get started, is to get a good identification book and a magnifying glass. Then head outside and find stones that interest you. DO NOT break open rocks by hitting one against another. Get safety goggles and have a responsible adult help if you want to break rocks. It is best to find a way to display the rocks and label them if you can figure out just what minerals are in them. You can also purchase certain minerals in nature stores to add to your collection.

How can I tell a rock from a mineral?
Remember that a rock is a combination of minerals. If you see lots of different colors in a stone, it is likely to be a rock. If you see just one color looking under a magnifying lens, it may be a mineral. Pure minerals are much harder to find than rocks in most places.

Where can I get more information about minerals?
Use the "Web Sites" link at this web site. There are mineral links in the "Earth Science" section.

If teachers have any additional questions or comments, they can e-mail Science Bob at:sciencebob@sciencebob.com