Activity 5

Properties of Rocks

Materials
3 rock samples dilute hydrochloric acid or vinegar
unglazed tile medicine dropper
pieces of glass small hammer
steel knife newspaper
hand lens

Procedure:
1. Rub one rock sample on the unglazed tile.
2. Do the same with the other rock samples.
3. Scratch the rock sample with your thumbnail.
4. If your thumbnail did not leave a mark on the rock, scratch the rock with a piece of
glass. If no mark results scratch the rock with steel knife.
5. Try scratching each rock with each other.
6. Line your work table with newspaper to protect it from the acid. Place the rock
samples in a row on the newspaper.
7. Fill a drop ore more of the acid on each rock sample. Use hand lens in observing the
rocks while making the test.
8. Examine one rock sample with hand lens. Try breaking it. See how it breaks. Do the
same with the other samples. Does rock break into small, uneven pieces or regularly
shaped pieces or thin sheets?

Questions:
1. Fill –up the table below based on your observation.
Hardness Test Breaks on
Rock Streak Rock Reaction in
Thumbnail Glass Steel rocks
sample Color Color Acid
Knife
Rock #1
Rock #2
Rock #3

1. What property of the rock are you testing when you try to scratch it with different things?
2. How will you describe the rock samples scratched by your thumbnail? pieces of glass?
steel knife?
3. Which of the three rocks is the softest? The hardest?
4. What does bubbling tell about rock?