Earth & Life

Science
Quarter 1 – Module 3:
Common Rock-forming Minerals
Earth & Life Science – Grade 11/12
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 3: Identify Common Rock-forming Minerals using their
Physical and Chemical Properties, First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Roel Pescadero Dialogo, Jr.

Editors:
Reviewers:
Illustrator:
Layout Artist:
Management Team: Reynaldo M. Guillena, CESO V
Emma A. Camporedondo, CESE
Basilio P. Mana-ay Jr., CESE
Alma C. Cifra, EdD
Aris B. Juanillo, PhD
Faye Genevieve P. Pasamonte

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Department of Education – Region XI

Office Address : DepEd Davao City Division, E. Quirino Ave.,

Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
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E-mail Address : info@[Link]
 Earth and Life
Science
Quarter 1 – Module 3:
Common Rock-forming
Minerals
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
Welcome to the Earth & Life Science – Grade 11/12 Alternative Delivery
Mode (ADM) Module about how to identify common rock-forming minerals
using their physical and chemical properties!
This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by
educators both from public and private institutions to assist you, the
teacher or facilitator in helping the learners meet the standards set by the
K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their personal, social, and economic
constraints in schooling.
This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and
independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore,
this also aims to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills
while taking into consideration their needs and circumstances.
In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in
the body of the module:

Notes to
the Teacher
This containshelpful tips or strategies
that will help you in guiding the
learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while
allowing them to manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are
expected to encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks
included in the module.

For the learner:

8
Welcome to the Earth & Life Science – Grade 11/12 Alternative Delivery
Mode (ADM) Module about how to identify common rock-forming minerals
using their physical and chemical properties!
The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is
often used to depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may
learn, create and accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource
signifies that you as a learner is capable and empowered to successfully
achieve the relevant competencies and skills at your own pace and time.
Your academic success lies in your own hands!
This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and
time. You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning resource
while being an active learner.
This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to This will give you an idea of the skills or

Know competencies you are expected to learn in the module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the lesson to take. If you
get all the answers correct (100%), you may decide to skip this module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link the

current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such
as a story, a song, a poem, a problem
opener, an activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of the

lesson. This aims to help you discover and understand new
concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and skills of the topic.
You may check the answers to the exercises using the Answer Key at the
end of the module.
What I Have This includes questions or blank
Learned sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process what
you learned from the lesson.

9
 What I Can Do This section provides an activity which
will help you transfer your new
knowledge or skill into real life
situations or concerns.
Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your level
of mastery in achieving the learning competency.
Additional In this portion, another activity will be
Activities given to you to enrich your knowledge or
skill of the lesson learned. This also
tends retention of learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in

the module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in

developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other
activities included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module,

do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in
mind that you are not alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful
learning and gain deep understanding of the relevant
competencies. You can do it!
What I Need to Know

10
 This module is perfectly designed for independent learning. This will
lead you to have a better understanding about rock-forming minerals
along with its physical and chemical properties. This course module as
self-learning kit is properly designed to address the Most Essential
Learning Competency (MELC): Identify common rock-forming minerals
using their physical and chemical properties.

11
 What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. It is the color of a mineral in powdered form.

A. Fracture
B. Hardness
C. Streak
D. Color
2. It is the quality and intensity of reflected light exhibited by the
mineral.
A. Luster
B. Specific Gravity
C. Light reaction
D. Crystal Form
3. A mineral is observed using a light. Upon the observation, the
mineral was observed to be dull or earthy. It means that the
mineral sample is…
A. Metallic
B. NonMetalic
C. Halogen
D. Plastic
4. Shaun wanted to determine the rocks’ resistance to abrasion. What
do you think is the scale that she must use?
A. Mohs’ Scale of Hardness
B. Rocks’ Scale of Hardness
C. Moss’ Scale of Hardness
D. Muse Scale of Hardness 5. Which of the following
belong to mica?
A. hornblende and augite
B. muscovite and biotite
C. amphibole and hornblende
D. pyroxene and augite
6. Which is an amphibole?
A. muscovite
B. pyroxene
C. biotite
D. hornblende
7. How would you differentiate amphibole from olivine?
A. by crystal shape
B. by luster

12
 C. by basicity
D. by specific gravity

8. It is a solid, inorganic, naturally occurring substance with a

fixed structure and a definite composition.
A. rock
B. magma
C. salt
D. mineral
9. It is the ability of a mineral to resist scratches.
A. luster
B. hardness
C. cleavage
D. crystal habit
10. Why is it that the diamond is used to cut the minerals?
A. because they are so rich
B. because diamond is the hardest that it has the rating of 10.
C. because diamond is the hardest that it has the rating of 6
D. because diamond is white
11. Why does mica peel into thin sheets?
A. due to cleavage
B. due to its chemical composition
C. due to its luster
D. due to its color
12. Which of the following is the easiest way to differentiate mica
from quartz?
A. Measure their specific gravity.
B. Observe how they look like in the dark.
C. Look at their overall shape.
D. Observe how they are broken.
13. Which of the following mineral is almost as hard as quartz?
A. diamond
B. feldspar
C. amphibole
D. mica
14. Sander found an unknown mineral that has not been
reported before. He observed the behavior of the mineral
when he tried to cut and crush it. What physical
characteristic of the mineral was examined by Sander?
A. tenacity C. fracture
B. hardness D. cleavage
15. Hank, together with his colleagues, is in search for a mineral
that is typically black in color. Its crystal form is short and
thick, with two cleavages that are nearly a right angle. What
rock-forming mineral are they looking for?

13
A. pyroxene
B. olivine
C. amphibole
D. quartz

14
 Lesso Identify Common
n 1 Rockforming Minerals
using Chemical

Properties their
Physical and
You might not have noticed, but minerals are all around us. Minerals
are used to produce products that we generally use every day. Minerals
provide metals that help us make the essential things such as cars,
aircraft, jewelry, and coins. There are also rock-forming minerals that is
abundant in our planet which will be discussed in this module.

Notes to the
Teacher
The tasks printed in this module will not be accomplished by
the learner here. Hence, a separate paper for the answers
may be used by him/her.

What’s
In
This exercise will refresh your minds from the last topic you have
learned and some glimpse of today’s topic! So, are you ready? Let’s start!

8
Instruction: Answer the crossword puzzle by encircling the words found
in the box below the puzzle.

F H C
L Y K A K Z R E I I W J
I L A
R E T S U L R M O I T L
A B L
R Y X F T E R I Z G G O
Y M M
J D K S H D O N R X F Y
R Y F
K T N P B K L E M O H S
X N C I C S E T O O R X O X W

C O D B O X R S K C A K P H P
R A N R R O F E S J L S I Z N
P X D B F C U K K R S R Q K D
Y Y B X P X X M A M F E K I X

H L I T H O S P H E R E A V A
Z H R V U M L P P U R M R P Q

Y L X F U P W I T Y O T C U B

I I K T X Y P D Y N J C S R P

D Z R B R W R A D Y Q W H S X

[Link]

COLOR DIAMOND HYDROSPHERE LUSTER STREAK

MOHS HARDNESS LITHOSPHERE MINERALS ROCK

Have you found all the terms? The terms you had just encircled are
related to rocks. We can see rocks around us. But have you ever

9
wondered what materials are they made up of? Why do see different
colored rocks? Why are some rocks soft while others are hard?
Recall your past lessons and write what you know about some of the
terms. You may write a word or two that could describe each of term.

Diamond: ________________ Hardness: ________________

Minerals: ________________ Rock: ________________

What’s New

Read the story about a boy and his special task about rock-forming
minerals.

The Boy and the Marvelous

Stones
The atmosphere became gloomy, and
strong winds whirled in. Shaun’s brown cowboy
hat fell off to the ground. He bowed down to get
his hat and when he nods up, an alien appeared!
“I am Sola Luna.”, said the alien, who looked like a humanoid
amphibian, in his low, squeaky voice. Shaun looked around and realized
that he is now alone! He shouted in fear! “Aaaaaahhhh! Whaaaat aaarreee
yooouu?! Where are my friends, Coby and Wendon?! Bring them back!”,
Shaun, being anxious and unconscious, shouted with his bulging eyes.
Sola Luna gave a blank map to Shaun and said “Hyacintho
Sapphirus! Slowly, prints on the map showed. “That will be your guide to
the large trunk full of rocks and minerals! Help me save my planet,
Ritulah, by discovering the rock-forming minerals.”
“This is a serious task Shaun. You are selected in this challenge. You
need to successfully complete the task of describing the rock-forming
minerals.”, said Sola Luna. Upon hearing this, a warmer wind turning like a
tornado came and Sola Luna disappeared!
This leaves Shaun puzzled, shocked, mouth–opened and amazed.
“What I am going to do?”, Shaun then fainted to the ground while holding
the map.
After some time, Shaun opened his eyes with blurry vision. He saw
something that is illuminating like a heartbeat. When his vision is clearer,
he realized that it was the map. He touched it and it made him to teleport
to a dark place… he is now inside the cave to do his mission.
Now, let us journey together with Shaun to discover more about the
minerals which form rocks. Are you ready? Let’s begin!

10
What is It
Minerals

Minerals are the building blocks of rocks. They are described as

naturally–shaped, generally inorganic, crystalline strong composed of an
ordered array of atoms and having a particular arrangement. They have
physical and chemical properties.
1.) Physical Properties of Minerals

The physical properties of minerals that can be tested are:

a. Luster. This refers to the way light is reflected

from a mineral surface. Some have a metallic
surface such as gold, silver and copper. Others
are described as vitreous or glassy, pearly,
silky, resinous, and earthy or dull.
b. Hardness. This refers to the-minerals’
resistance to being scratched. The harder ones
are difficult to scratch; the softer ones are less
resistant to scratches. Friedrich Mohs, a German
mineralogist, developed the scale in 1812 to
describe hardness with a number of 1-10, with
10 being the hardest.
c. Color. This physical characteristic depends on
the

impurities present in a mineral which

contributed to its color. Sapphires may come
in a vast variety of colors--- blue is the most familiar color, but
yellow, orange, green, pink, orange and brown varieties are also
known. It is therefore NOT advisable to rely on color alone to identify
a mineral.
d. Streak. This refers to the color of the mark it

leaves behind after being rubbed against a

piece of unglazed porcelain. For example, while
Hematite is usually black, silver or brown-red,
its streak is always a dark blood-red. Take note

11
 that streak can be used only for minerals with a Mohs hardness of 7
or less because those minerals with a hardness greater than 7 will
themselves scratch the streak plate.
e. Cleavage. This is the tendency of minerals to break along planes of
weak bonding. It is described by the number of planes exhibited and
the angles at which they meet.

2.) Chemical Properties of Minerals

The following are the chemical properties or composition. These are also
used to separate the rock – forming minerals.
Chemical Description Example/s
Property

Elements Occurs in nature in an sulfur, graphite, and

uncombined state. gold

Sulfides Combinations of various metallic Pyrite (iron sulfide,

elements with sulfur. FeS2)
Oxides Metal element in combination The iron mineral
with oxygen. hematite is an
example.
Halides Naturally occurring chlorides, halite (rock salt) and
fluorides, bromides, and iodides. fluorite.

Silicates Largest group of minerals. Quartz and feldspar.

Contain various elements in
combination with silicon and
oxygen.

12
 Common Rock-Forming Minerals

The most common rock-forming minerals are quartz, feldspar, mica,

pyroxene, amphibole, and olivine.
COMMON
ROCKFORMIN CHEMICAL
PHYSICAL PROPERTY USES
G PROPERTY
MINERALS
Quartz • Mohs hardness of 7 electronics,
• clear and transparent (pure) gems

Feldspar • Mohs hardness of 6 glassmaking,

• glassy luster ceramics,
• rectangular crystals that
break along flat faces
• usually white, have shades of
red and green
Silicate
Pyroxene • Mohs hardness ranging from 5 (contains In general,
(Augite is the to 6 (harder than glass) silicon, and source of
most common of • glassy luster with streaks of lithium, used in
this group) oxygen with
white, light green, or light some heat-resistant
brown aluminum, ceramics,
magnesium, medication, and
iron and batteries.
calcium)

Amphibole • Mohs hardness ranging from 5 road and

(Hornblende is to 6 railroad bed
the most • glassy luster and an opaque construction
common characteristic
• very long and very thin

amphibole)

Olivine • Mohs hardness ranging from 6 Magnesium- refractories,

to 7.5 iron silicate gems (peridot)
• glassy looking and
transparent
• granular shape

Mica • Mohs hardness ranging from 2 Hydrous pigment

to 2.5 potassium extender in
• Clear, black aluminum paints and
silicate

13
 • shiny and glittery electrical
• easily identified by its perfect insulators
cleavage

(clear muscovite
and black biotite)

What’s More

THE MINERAL DETECTIVES

You are going to help Shaun to identify five (5) unknown rockforming
mineral samples using some of the physical and chemical properties of
each rock sample. Your task is to identify the rock-forming minerals
described. Choose your answer from the 6 minerals given in the box
below.

Olivine Mica Feldspar Mica Quartz Amphibole

The Mysterious rock – forming mineral No. 1

It is a silicate, glassy-looking hard substance with white streaks. Despite
its hardness, with a Mohs hardness of 7, it is quite brittle. It is clear and
transparent. Colored varieties are due to elemental impurities built into
its lattice. The grains in general, are irregular in shape.

14
The Mysterious rock – forming mineral No. 2
It is quite hard with a Mohs hardness of 6. I t is a light-colored
material, usually white, but they can have lighter shades of red or
green. It has a glassy luster. In rocks, it forms rectangular crystals that
break along flat
faces. In terms of chemical property, this mineral is a silicate.

The Mysterious rock – forming mineral No. 3

It is shiny and glittery with Moh’s hardness of 2-2.5. it has a perfect

cleavage. Its chemical composition is hydrous potassium aluminum silicate .

The Mysterious rock – forming mineral No. 4

Long prismatic, acicular, or fibrous crystal habit, dark in color, Mohs
hardness between 5 and 6, and two directions of cleavage intersecting at
approximately 56° and 124°. It is a silicate and very useful in road and
railroad bed construction.

The Mysterious rock – forming mineral No. 5

It is a magnesium-iron silicate known for its distinct olive-green color and

commonly used in the gemstone industry as Peridot. It is a glassy looking
and transparent substance that is almost as hard as quartz. Its crystals
have a granular shape.

What I Have Learned

Great! Now you are almost done with the module. Keep in mind the
following concepts:

•a mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic, solid material that has

a fixed structure and a definite chemical composition;

•minerals can be distinguished based on physical and chemical

properties;

15
 •useful physical properties to identify a mineral include color, streak,
luster, specific gravity, hardness, cleavage, tenacity, and crystal
habit;

•the chemical properties of minerals depend on their chemical

formula and crystal structure. Taste test and Fizz Test are some and
commonly used to describe a mineral; and

•the most common rock-forming minerals are quartz, feldspar, mica,

pyroxene, amphibole, and olivine.

What I Can Do

The Philippines is
undoubtedly a very rich
country in terms
of natural resources.
Along these resources
are the minerals that are
used in industries in the
country and even
exported to other parts
in the world. The mineral
map below shows some
of the rich minerals
in the
Philippines. However,
these minerals
are constantly mined
by people that threatens the
stability of the environment.
In view of this, you, as a citizen of the country has an important role
to play. List down at least 3 things you can do to protect the mineral
deposits of the country. Use the graphic organizer below.

16
 1.

As a Filipino citizen, I have the

responsibility to protect the mineral
2.
resources of the country. Hence, I
will do the following:

3.

Assessment

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. It is a solid, inorganic, naturally occurring substance with a fixed

structure and a definite composition.
A. rock
B. magma
C. salt
D. mineral

2. It is the ability of a mineral to resist scratches.

A. luster
B. hardness
C. cleavage
D. crystal habit

3. Why is it that the diamond is used to cut the minerals?

A. because they are so rich
B. because diamond is the hardest that it has the rating of 10.
C. because diamond is the hardest that it has the rating of 6
D. because diamond is white

4. Why does mica peel into thin sheets?

A. due to cleavage
B. due to its chemical composition

17
 C. due to its luster
D. due to its color

5. Which of the following belong to mica?

A. hornblende and augite
B. muscovite and biotite
C. amphibole and hornblende
D. pyroxene and augite

6. Which is an amphibole?
A. muscovite
B. pyroxene
C. biotite
D. hornblende

7. How would you differentiate amphibole from olivine?

A. by crystal shape
B. by luster
C. by basicity
D. by specific gravity

8. Which of the following is the easiest way to differentiate mica from

quartz?
A. Measure their specific gravity.
B. Observe how they look like in the dark.
C. Look at their overall shape.
D. Observe how they are broken.

9. Which of the following mineral is almost as hard as quartz?

A. diamond
B. feldspar
C. amphibole
D. mica

10. Sander found an unknown mineral that has not been reported before.
He observed the behavior of the mineral when he tried to cut and
crush it.

What physical characteristic of the mineral was examined by Sander?

A. tenacity

18
 B. hardness
C. fracture
D. cleavage

11. Hank, together with his colleagues, is in search for a mineral that is
typically black in color. Its crystal form is short and thick, with two
cleavages that are nearly a right angle.

What rock-forming mineral are they looking for?

A. pyroxene
B. olivine
C. amphibole
D. quartz

12. It is the color of a mineral in powdered form.

A. Fracture
B. Hardness
C. Streak
D. Color

13. It is the quality and intensity of reflected light exhibited by the

mineral.
A. Luster
B. Specific Gravity
C. Light reaction
D. Crystal Form

14. A mineral is observed using a light. Upon the observation, the mineral
was observed to be dull or earthy. It means that the mineral sample
is…
A. Metallic
B. NonMetalic
C. Halogen
D. Plastic

15. Shaun wanted to determine the rocks’ resistance to abrasion. What do

you think is the scale that she must use?
A. Mohs’ Scale of Hardness
B. Rocks’ Scale of Hardness
C. Moss’ Scale of Hardness

19
 D. Muse Scale of Hardness

Additional Activities

In the 4 squares, write 4 things learned about the lesson.

In the 3 triangles, write at least 3 interesting things you gained.
In the circle, write 1 question that you want to ask about the topic.

20
Answer
Key

21
References
Department of Geology at the University of Minnesota. n.d. The University
of Minnesota. Accessed July 2, 2020.
[Link]

Alessandro Grippo, Ph.D. n.d. MINERAL PROPERTIES, USES, and

IDENTIFICATION.

Hobart M. King, Ph.D., RPG. 2005 - 2020. [Link]. Accessed July 2,

2020. [Link]

Salandanan, Gloria G. Ph.D, Ruben E. Ph.D Faltado, and Merle B. Ph.D

Lopez. 2016. Earth and Life Sciences. Quezon City, Manila: Lorimar
Publishing, Inc.

22
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Region XI Davao City Division

Elpidio Quirino Avenue, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines

Telephone: (082) 224 0100 / 228 3970

Email Address: info@[Link]