5. Word Search

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1. How Hard Is That Rock

All rocks are hard, but, different rocks have a different degree of hardness. This
hardness is measures on a Mohs Scale. This scale is named after Frederick
Mohs, an Austrian mineralogist who got the idea from scratch tests performed
by miners.

The scale is:

1 = Talc

2 = Gypsum

3 = Calcite

4 = Fluorite

5 = Apatite (fluorapatite)

6 = Orthoclase

7 = Quartz

8 = Topaz

9 = Corundum

10 = Diamond

One way to perform the test is to scratch one rock with another. The rock with
a scratch mark on it is softer than the other rock. This still won’t tell you where
the rock is on the Mohs Scale.

For this you will need:

A magnifying glass

Your fingernail

A penny

A steel nail

A steel file

Find some rocks, then scratch each rock with your fingernail. Examine the rocks
with the magnifying glass. Your fingernail is about 2.5 on the hardness scale. A
rock that scratches with your fingernail is made out of talc or gypsum. Talc is easy
ground and used in a variety of household items including cosmetics, talcum
powder, insecticides, and paper. Gypsum is typically found near salt waters. It is
formed when the sea water is evaporated during very dry conditions. It is used in
paints, plaster, tile and other construction materials.

Next scratch each rock in a new place with the penny. A penny is about 3 on the
hardness scale. It can make a scratch on calcite. Calcite is very common and found
in a variety of places, usually in limestone. It mat be transparent or crystal. Some
calcite is fluorescent.

Now try the steel nail. The steel nail is about 5.5 so it will make a mark on fluorite
and apatite (fluorapatite) as well as calcite, talc and gypsum. Flourite is often found
with calcite, It is used in steel making and in smelting ores. It is also used in making
high-test gasoline and Freon. Apatites are often confused with gem minerals. They
may be translucent, transparent, or opaque. They come in a variety of colors. They
are softer than the gems that they look like.

If your rocks still do not have marks on them, try the steel file. It has a hardness rating
of 6.5 and will scratch orthoclase. Orthoclase is also fairly common. It is sometimes
cut as moonstone – a semiprecious stone.

The only stones left are quartz, topaz, corundum, or diamond. Quartz is the most
common mineral. They come in a variety of colors. They may be streaked with
crystalline forms. Even though quartz is common, it is considered a semi-precious stone.

You may want to use your magnifying glass to try to see the crystalline forms in the quartz.

Spin-off activities:

try to find stones that fall into each classification of hardness

try to find as many quartz stones with different characteristics

Get a rock-tumbler. Following the directions, place a few quartz rocks into the
tumbler – see what kind of semi-precious stones they turn into.

NOTE: Rock tumbling takes days to weeks before the true features of the stone
are visible. This is a good activity for older children.

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2. Pet Rocks

Yes, pet rocks were the rage twenty or thirty years ago.
Your children can make their own pet rocks.

Materials:

Rocks – different sizes

Good contact glue

Paint or markers

Plastic eyes (optional)

1. Find several rocks of different sizes – one for the body, another for the head
and four for legs.

2. Glue the rocks together to make the pet rock animal. Let the glue dry.

3. Paint or draw features on the Pet Rock. – If you have plastic eyes, you may
want to glue them in place before painting or coloring the Pet Rock.

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3. Personal Paperweight

Materials

Large, smooth rock

Several wildflowers

Paper towel

Wax paper

Scissors

Good contact glue – preferably one that dries clear

Spay shellac

1. Find a large, smooth rock. If it is very dirty, you may want to wash it off.

2. Cut a few wild flower blossoms with or without stems. (NOTE: Be sure to use
common wild flowers, like Black-eyed Susans, Queen Anne’s Lace, Daisies, or
Dandelions. Do not pick endangered or protected flowers.)

3. Decide how you want to arrange the wild flowers on the rock. You may want
to use only the petals or the entire flower with the stem.

4. Place the parts of the flower that you want to use between the paper towels.
Place the rock or other heavy object on the flower – paper towel sandwich. You
want to flatten the flower, leaves, petals and remove the moisture. Leave this for
a few hours.

5. Place the rock on a piece of wax paper.

6. Arrange the flowers, petals, stems, leaves on the rock and glue in place. Let the
glue dry completely.

7. Follow the directions on the spray can. Spray the decorated rock with the
Shellac and let dry.

NOTE: Young children should not be allowed to use the Shellac without proper
supervision.

8. Once the Shellac is dry, you can display your paperweight.

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4. Treasure Hunt

This activity is great on the beach with young children.

Before going to the beach spray many small rocks with gold paint. The number
of rocks depends on the number of children that will be participating.

When you get to the beach, find a secluded area and bury the rocks.

Now tell the children that there is buried treasures on the beach. Let them dig for
the gold pieces.

You may want to award a small prize to the child with the most, or have a prize
for every child that finds the "treasures".

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5. Word Search

Find the minerals and gems in the following word grid.

Borax

Crystal

Fluoride

Gypsum

Jade

Lava

Limestone

Opal

Quartz

Talc

The key: