Mineral Structure - Cleavage and Fracture Experiment
The purpose of this LAB-AIDS® Mineral Structure Kit is to provide manipulative experience with the basic physical properties of cleavage and fracture. One or both of these properties may be observed in a mineral specimen. This kit is designed to be an introduction to cleavage and fracture and therefore contains specimens that will be easier to classify as such for the novice. Goniometers are included to provide the student with an understanding of the angular relationship between cleavage planes.
Details at a Glance
- 1 Day | 1 ~50 minute class period
- 1 Activity
- Accommodates unlimited classes, each with 15 groups of 2 students
- All materials are non-consumable
Scientific Concepts
• Identify minerals by physical properties of cleavage and fracture
• Sort samples by fracture and cleavage
• Determine angles between cleavage planes
• Understand the angular relationships between cleavage direction
• Correlate cleavage and fracture properties with commercial uses of these minerals
Guides & Student Sheets
Our kits and modules provide you with everything you need so you can open, review, and teach the material confidently the next day.
- Full downloadable Teacher Guide with background information, detailed instruction, example data and answers
- Downloadable Student Sheets with age appropriate background information, full procedure(s), and analysis questions
- All materials necessary to carry out the investigation
- Safety Data Sheets
Kit Components
- 1 Teachers Guide
- 30 Student Worksheets and Guides
- 15 Goniometers
- 5 Flourite specimens
- 8 Obsidian specimens
- 8 Serpentine specimens
- 5 Biotite mica specimens
- 5 Calcite specimens
- 5 Halite specimens
- 5 Hornblend specimens
- 5 Microcline feldspar specimens
- 5 Sphalerite specimens