Lesson 1 Origin and Structure of the

Earth- Planet Earth

Earth is the only planet in the solar system known to harbour life. Our planet’s has
molten nickel-iron core give rise to an extensive magnetic field, which, along with
the atmosphere, shields us from harmful radiation coming from the Sun. In this
module, you will understand why this planet is called the “living planet.”

W hat’s In
Just a part of the vast universe is the solar system. From the previous concepts
learned, identify the planets in the solar system in the given illustration.

Question: What do you think are the characteristics of the planet Earth that make
it different from all the other planets?
 W hat’s New

Earth: A Habitable Planet

Read the document carefully and answer the questions that follow

Table 1. Factors that make a planet habitable

Factors that
make a
Not Enough of the Situation in the Solar
Planet Just Right Too Much of the Factor
Factor System
Habitable

Temperature Low temperatures Life seems to be At about 125oC, protein Surface: only the Earth’s
influences how cause chemicals to limited to a and carbohydrate surface is in this temperature
quickly atoms react slowly, which temperature range of molecules, and the genetic range. Sub-surface: the
and molecules interferes with the -15oC to 115oC. In material (e.g., DNA and interior of the solid planets
move. reactions necessary for this range, liquid RNA) start to break apart. and moons may be in this
life. It can also cause water can still exist Also, high temperatures temperature range.
the freezing of water, under certain cause the quick
making liquid water conditions. evaporation of water.
unavailable.

Atmosphere Small planets and Earth and Venus are Venus’s atmosphere is Of the solid planets and
moons have the right size to hold 100 times thicker than moons, only Earth, Venus,
insufficient gravity to a sufficient Earth’s. It is made almost and Titan have significant
hold an atmosphere. atmosphere. Earth’s entirely of greenhouse atmospheres. Mars’
The gas molecules atmosphere is about gasses, making the atmosphere is about 1/100th
escape to space, 100 miles thick. It surface too hot for life. that of Earth’s, too small for
leaving the planet or keeps the surface The four giant planets are significant insulation or
moon without an warm and protects it completely made of gas. shielding.
insulating blanket or a from radiation and
protective shield. small- to medium-
sized meteorites.

Energy When there is too little With a steady input Light energy is a problem Surface: The inner planets
sunlight or too few of of either light or if it makes a planet too get too much sunlight for life.
the chemicals that chemical energy, hot or if there are too The outer planets get too
provide energy to cells, cells can run the many harmful rays, such little.
such as iron or sulfur, chemical reactions as ultraviolet. Too many
organisms die. necessary for life. energy-rich chemicals is Sub-surface: Most solid
not a problem planets and moons have
energy-rich chemicals.

Nutrients used to Without chemicals to All solid planets and Too many nutrients are not a Surface: Earth has a water cycle,
build and make proteins and moons have the same problem. However, too active an atmosphere, and volcanoes to
maintain an carbohydrates, organisms general chemical a circulation system, such as circulate nutrients. Venus, Titan,
organism’s body. cannot grow. Planets makeup, so nutrients the constant volcanism on Io, and Mars have nutrients and
without systems to deliver are present. Those with Jupiter’s moon, Io, or the ways to circulate them to
nutrients to its organisms a water cycle or churning atmospheres of the organisms.
(e.g., a water cycle or volcanic activity can gas planets, interferes with
volcanic activity) cannot transport and replenish an organism’s ability to get Sub-surface: Any planet or moon
support life. Also, when the chemicals required enough nutrients. with sub-surface water or molten
nutrients are spread so by living organisms. rock can circulate and replenish
thin that they are hard to nutrients for organisms
obtain, such as on a gas
planet, life cannot exist.

Factors that make a planet habitable. National Science Foundation, n,d.http://www.lpi.usara.edu/education/explore/our_place/hab_ref_table.pdf

Question:
1. What are the factors that make the planet habitable?
2. What are the characteristics of planet Earth that makes it habitable?
 What is It

Earth is the only place in the known universe confirmed to host life and is the
only one known for sure to have liquid water in the surface. These are reasons
why planet earth is a unique one: (1) It has liquid water; (2) Plate Tectonics; and
(3) It has atmosphere that shelters it from the worst of the sun’s rays.
Earth is the only planet in the solar system that has a large amount of liquid
water. About 70% of the surface of the Earth is covered by liquid or frozen water.
Because of this, Earth is sometimes called “blue planet.” Planet Earth is habitable
because it has the right distance from the sun. It is kept warm by an insulating
atmosphere, and it has the right chemical ingredients for life including water and
carbon. It can provide water, oxygen, useful biological products for human, and
has suitable weather and climate.
Earth, Venus, and Mars may have similarities: (1) They all are terrestrial planets,
made of solid rocks and silicates; (2) They all have an atmosphere; (3) They all
almost have the same time to rotate on their axes; (4) Earth and Mars both have
water; (5) They all have carbon dioxide; and (6 All have landforms. Earth, Venus,
and Mars have differences: (1) Venus has no water; (2) Venus and Mars don’t have
oxygen; and (3) Earth has life forms.

W hat’s More
Activity 1.1 Understanding Planet Earth
Compare and Contrast
How is planet Earth similar and different from Venus and Mars? Provide possible
explanations for your observations using the information in the table.
VENUS EARTH MARS
Mass (1024kg) 4.87 5.97 0.642
Diameter (km) 12,104 12,756 6792
Density (kg/m3) 5243 5514 3933
Gravity (m/s2) 8.9 9.8 3.7
Escape Velocity (km/s) 10.4 11.2 5
Surface pressure (bars) 92 1 0.01
Composition of atmosphere 96% CO2, 3.5% N 77%N, 21% O2, 1%Ar 95%CO2, 2.7%N, 1.6%Ar
Major Greenhouse Gases(GHG) CO2 CO2 H2O CO2
Mean Temperature (0C) 464 15 -65
Temperature if no greenhouse gases are -46 -18 -57
present
Changes in Temperature (0C) due to +523 +33 +10
greenhouse gases
Distance from the Sun (106km) 108.2 149.6 227.9
Orbital Period (days) 224.7 365.2 687
Orbital Velocity (km/s) 35 29.8 24.1
Length of day (hours) 2802 24 24.7
Global Magnetic Field No Yes No
Comparison of the features of Venus, Earth, and Mars
(National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
2015)
 What I Have Learned

1. Planet Earth is considered habitable because of the following reasons: (1) it

has the right distance from the sun; (2) it is protected from harmful solar
radiation by its magnetic field; (3) it is kept warm by an insulating atmosphere;
and (4) it has the right amount of ingredients for life, including water and
carbon.
2. Earth is different from other planet in a way that it is the only planet with
liquid water on the surface.
a. Earth, Venus, and Mars may have similarities: (1) They all are terrestrial
planets, made of solid rocks and silicates; (2) They all have an
atmosphere;
(3) They all almost have the same time to rotate on their axes; (4) Earth
and Mars both have water; (5) They all have carbon dioxide; and (6) All
have landforms.
a. Earth, Venus, and Mars have differences: (1) Venus has no water; (2)
Venus and Mars don’t have oxygen; and (3) Earth has life forms.
What I Can Do
Earth Day generally falls in the third week of April. There are a lot of great lessons
about how our behavior and activity affect others and our planet.
List down ten (10) activities that you can do to save planet Earth and identify
those activities as a form of recycling, reducing, or reusing.

RECYCLE REDUCE REUSE

Assessment
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. What makes planet earth different from the other planets in the solar system?
A. It supports life. C. The atmosphere holds gases.
B. It is mostly covered in water. D. All of the above
2. Planet Earth is uniquely different from other planets because .
A. It has people that live in it.
B. It has soil where trees grow.
C. It has trees that provide oxygen.
D. It has liquid water in the surface.
3. What makes planet Earth habitable?
A. It has comfortable distance from the sun.
B. The atmosphere serves as shields from the sun.
C. Only A
D. Both A and B
4. Why is Earth called the “living planet?”
A. It has life mechanism.
B. It has water and atmosphere.
C. It has carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
D. It has atmosphere that supports oxygen.
5. Which must be provided for an organism to survive in planet Earth?
A. right amount of sunlight and atmosphere
B. right amount of water and carbon
C. Only A
D. Both A and B
6. Planet Earth is considered as “blue planet.” Which of the following best
describes the surface of planet Earth?
A. Earth has atmosphere.
B. Earth has lots of volcano.
C. Earth is covered with red dust.
D. Earth has mostly water on the surface.
7. What is the reason why Earth is different from other planets in the solar
system?
A. Earth is mostly covered in water.
B. Earth has comfortable distance from the sun.
C. Earth has carbon dioxide on its atmosphere.
D. It has approximately same size as that of Venus.
8. Which of the following best describes planet Earth?
A. It has gases. C. It has rocky core.
B. It supports life. D. It supports other planet.

9. It was found out that Earth’s surface is covered with water. Approximately,
how many percent of water comprises the Earth?
A. 45% water C. 60% water
B. 50% water D. 70% water
10. Earth can support the survival of organisms. What is/are the factor/s that
make/s Earth habitable?
I. atmosphere III. temperature
II. energy IV. nutrient
A. I C. I, II, III
B. I, II D. I, II, III, IV
11. In order for an organism to survive, nutrients are needed. What are
the nutrients that planet Earth can offer for an organism to exist?
A. Earth has an atmosphere and ozone layer.
B. Earth has both water cycle and nitrogen cycle.
C. Earth has natural activities to circulate nutrients.
D. All of the above
 12. Many studies have shown similarities of Earth and Venus. What makes
Earth similar with Venus?
A. Earth and Venus have the same orbit.
B. Earth and Venus have the same diameter.
C. Earth and Venus have the same atmosphere.
D. Earth and Venus are of the right size to hold a sufficient atmosphere.
13. What makes human and other living organisms capable to live on Earth?
A. Earth can provide food for the organism.
B. Earth can protect the organism from any possible threat.
C. Earth’s temperature is mostly hot compared to other planets.
D. Earth has the right amount of temperature, water, good atmosphere,
and favorable climate.
14. Planet Earth is considered uniquely different from any other planets in the
Solar system. Which among the given choices correctly answers the
statement?
A. Earth is the only planet that changes structure.
B. Earth is the only planet that turns around in space.
C. Earth is the only planet that is mostly covered with water.
D. Earth is the only planet that is mostly made from rocks.
15. What is the reason why every living thing on Earth has the chance of survival?
A. Earth is covered with 65% water.
B. Earth thick atmosphere consisted mainly of carbon dioxide.
C. Earth has active volcanoes similar with those that are found in Venus.
D. Earth has ozone layer to protect living organisms from harmful
radiation.

Lesson 2

What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. Which of the following is NOT one of the four subsystems of the Earth?
A. biosphere C. water sphere
B. hydrosphere D. geosphere
2. All of the waters, including subsurface and atmospheric water comprise
the Earth. Which geological subsystem best label the statement?
A. the geosphere C. the biosphere
B. the hydrosphere D. the atmosphere
3. Earth contains all living organisms including those on the land, in the
water and air. Which subsystem best describes the statement?
A. biosphere C. atmosphere
B. hydrosphere D. geosphere
4. Which subsystem suits the statement, “All living things, including humans,
are part of the immense Earth”?
A. biosphere C. hydrosphere
B. geosphere D. atmosphere
5. What subsystem will network with biosphere for photosynthesis to
take place?
A. atmosphere C. hydrosphere
 B. geosphere D. biosphere
6. Oxygen, water vapor, nitrogen, and other gases help organism to
survive. Which Earth sphere contain these materials?
A. biosphere C. hydrosphere
B. atmosphere D. geosphere
7. Which term is used to describe the thin layer of solid rock that makes
up the outermost part of the Earth?
A. core C. mantle
B. crust D. biosphere
8. Among the subsystems, which is composed of a mixture of gases
that surrounds the Earth?
A. nitrogen C. biosphere
B. atmosphere D. kingdoms
9. The atmosphere of the Earth is composed of nitrogen and oxygen
and other gases.
A. 0% and 100% C. 78% and 21%
B. 21% and 78% D. 505 and 505
10. In what subsystem of the Earth are the rocks and mineral found?
A. atmosphere C. hydrosphere
B. biosphere D. geosphere
11. What part of the Earth’s sphere make up hydrosphere?
A. glaciers C. seawater and inland water
B. groundwater D. all of the above
12. Among all the gases, which gas composed the Earth’s atmosphere?

A. CO2 C. N2
B. He D. O2
13. Ozone plays an important part for organisms to stay alive. To what
sphere does ozone belong?
A. atmosphere C. geosphere
B. biosphere D. hydrosphere
14. Which answer best describes the role of the ozone
layer?
A. It traps heat from the sun to heat the planet.
B. It protects the plants and animals on earth from receiving too much
ultraviolet radiation.
C. It cools the earth through the evaporation of water vapor
D. It keeps the oxygen in the atmosphere closest to Earth and
the nitrogen separated in the atmosphere.
15. Which of the following is an example of a human impact of the biosphere?
A. littering C. water pollution
B. air pollution D. littering, air and water pollution
 Lesson 1 Origin and Structure of the Earth –
The Subsystem

Earth is sometimes called the “water planet” or the “blue planet” because seas cover
more than two-thirds of its surface. Earth is the only planet or moon in the solar
system with rain that falls from clouds, runs over the land, and collects in
extensive oceans. It is also the only body we know that supports life. This self-
learning module will help you understand the subsystem of the planet where you
stand right now.

W hat’s In
Read the statement below and answer the question that follows.

Imagine walking along a rocky coast as a storm blows in from the sea. The wind
whips the ocean into whitecaps, and waves crash onto the shore. Before you
have time to escape, blowing spray has soaked your clothes. A hard rain begins as
you scrambled over the rocks to your car. During the adventure, you have
observed the spheres of the Earth.

List down the terms that are used in the statement that reflects to what made up
the Earth. Categorized them based on the following:

Air Water Land With Life

 W hat’s New

Subsystems of the Earth

Analyze and label the given picture. From the picture, create a general concept
on each picture and identify the physical characteristics of the subsystem of the
Earth. Differentiate one with the other.

(A) (B) (C) (D)

What is It
Subsystems of the Earth

The four subsystems of the Earth are:

1. Atmosphere – the gaseous layer above the Earth’s surface primarily

composed of different gases such as nitrogen and oxygen.
2. Biosphere – the zone of the Earth where all forms of life exist. This serves
as the ecosystem of all living and non- living organisms.
3. Geosphere – the solid part of the Earth that consists the entire planet from
the center of the core to the outer crust. It includes core, mantle, and crust
of the Earth.
4. Hydrosphere – the water part of the Earth that includes oceans and
glaciers.
W hat’s More
Activity 1.1 We are Connected!
According to John Muir, “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it
attached to the rest of the world.” How is the given diagram related to the said
quote? How does the four subsystem of the Earth connect with each other?

Geosphe
re
 What I Have Learned

Subsystems of the Earth

The four subsystems of the Earth are:

1. Atmosphere – it is the gaseous layer above the Earth’s surface, primarily

composed of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Other gases like argon, carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and other inert gases made the remaining 1%.
The atmosphere supports life because animals and oxygen, and plants need both
carbon dioxide and oxygen. In addition, the atmosphere supports life indirectly
by regulating climate. Air acts as both a blanket and a filter, retaining heat at
night and shielding from direct solar radiation during the day.

2. Biosphere – the zone of Earth where all forms of life exist: in the sea, on land,
and in water. It is sometimes called as the large ecosystem. This is the zone that
life inhabits. Biosphere is a very thin layer of the earth’s surface.

3. Geosphere – the solid Earth, consisting of the entire planet from the center of
the core to the outer crust. It includes the core, mantle, and crust of the Earth.

4. Hydrosphere – the water part of the Earth which circulates among oceans,
continents, glaciers, and atmosphere. Oceans cover 71% of the Earth and
contain 97.5% of its water.

Earth is a complex system made up of many smaller systems through which

matter and energy are continuously cycled. Energy and matter flow through
Earth’s spheres: geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Energy
flows through the atmosphere mostly by convection. How does matter and
energy flow across the four subsystems of the Earth? The Earth consists of four
subsystems, across whose boundaries matter and energy flows, the atmosphere
(air), biosphere (living things), hydrosphere (water), and geosphere (land). The
atmosphere provides the geosphere with heat and energy needed for rock
breakdown and erosion. The biosphere receives gases, heat, and sunlight
(energy) from the atmosphere. It receives water from the hydrosphere and a
living medium from the geosphere.

What I Can Do
The human population has increased rapidly since the 1700’s. For most of human
history, there were fewer than half-billion people on Earth. In mid- 2009, 6.7
billion people inhabited our planet. Because of these, extensive pollution is
everywhere. As a student, what can you do to save not only a particular system,
but the Earth itself? Write your answer in the table.

MY ENVIRONMENTAL “TO DO” LIST

1.
 Assessment
2.
3.
4.
5.

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. Earth includes beach grasses, forms of life in the sea, on land, and even in
the air. Which term best describes the statement?
A. atmosphere C. geosphere
B. biosphere D. hydrosphere

2. Which system of the Earth is considered as the largest component of the

Earth?
A. atmosphere C. geosphere
B. biosphere D. hydrosphere

3. Life is supported by oxygen and carbon dioxide. Which subsystem will best
describe the statement?
A. atmosphere C. geosphere
B. biosphere D. hydrosphere

4. Relationship between the complex communities of individual organism is

seen in the different systems of the Earth. What do you call the unit in
nature?
A. ecosystem C. ground
B. complexity D. system

5. All of earth’s cycles and spheres are interconnected. Why is this so?
A. because they are interconnected
B. because Earth is where we live in
C. because Earth is the only living planet
D. because every organism has its own function in the Earth
6. What is an example of a connection between atmosphere and geosphere?
A. water C. mountains
B. nitrogen D. volcanic eruption release gas
 7. An example of a connection between atmosphere and hydrosphere is .
A. lakes C. rivers
B. rain D. rocks

8. From the given choices, which is an example of a connection between

biosphere connecting to atmosphere?
A. Animals eat plants. C. Animals lie in caves.
B. Animals drink water. D. Plants produce oxygen.

9. Which among the choices clearly gives an example of connection between

hydrosphere and geosphere?

A. boats transporting goods C. water evaporating to make clouds

B. fish swimming in water D. waves eroding rocks on beach

10. All living things, including land and sea made up the Earth. Which term
best described the statement?
A. geosphere C. atmosphere
B. ozone layer D. biosphere

11. Which interaction will take place if nitrogen is returned to the soil when dead
plants decompose?
A. biosphere and atmosphere C. biosphere and geosphere
B. geosphere and atmosphere D. atmosphere and geosphere

12. Which interaction best describes carbon dioxide dissolving from the air
into the ocean?
A. atmosphere and hydrosphere C. atmosphere and geosphere
B. atmosphere and atmosphere D. atmosphere and biosphere

13. The atmosphere of the Earth is composed of oxygen and nitrogen

and other gases.
A. 0% and 100% C. 78% and 21%
B. 21% and 78% D. 50% and 50%

14. What part of geosphere is a thin layer of solid rock that makes up the
outermost part of the Earth?
A. core C. mantle
B. crust D. biosphere

15. Ozone plays an important function in every single organism on Earth. To

what sphere does ozone layer belong?
A. atmosphere C. geosphere
B. biosphere D. hydrosphere
Additional Activities

“Connect Me Spheres”

Procedure: Analyze the interactions of the spheres after the onslaught of Taal
Volcano.

Ge
o

1. What sphere caused the event?

2. What are the effects of the event on one or more spheres?
3. What is the global implication of the event?
What I Know
Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. Pyrite is a yellowish mineral that looks like gold and is commonly called
fool’s gold. What is the property of mineral exhibited by pyrite wherein
it reflects light and with metallic look?
A. Color C. Luster
B. Hardness D. Streak

2. Quartz can break other than along planes of cleavage. What is the
property of mineral that show this characteristic?
A. Cleavage C. Hardness
B. Fracture D. Tenacity

3. Some minerals like mica has surfaces with planes of weak bonds in the
crystals. Thus, its crystals can be peeled like layers of onion. Which is
the property exhibited by mica?
A. Cleavage C. Hardness
B. Fracture D. Tenacity

4. Which property refers to the resistance of mineral to scratching?

A. Cleavage C. Hardness
 B. Fracture D. Luster

3. What are the building blocks of rocks and it is mostly found in

the geosphere?
A. minerals C. ore
B. soil D. elements

4. In its powdered form, the mineral hematite is reddish. Which

mineral property is described?
A. color C. Streak
B. luster D. hardness

7. Which is not a property that can be used to identify a mineral?

A. luster C. hardness
B. streak D. opaque

8. What is the property of mineral that reflects light on its surface?

A. Crystal structure C. streak
B. color D. luster
9. What is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a definite
crystalline structure and chemical composition?
A. compound C. mineral
B. crystal D. rocks

10. During the 1800’s, miners can identify real gold from pyrite through biting
the surface of the mineral. If a bite mark is exhibited, then the said
mineral is considered real gold. What property is tested in this scenario?
A. cleavage C. hardness
B. luster D. streak color

11. What is a carbonate mineral that occurs in a different crystal form and
is less common than either calcite or dolomite?
A. aragonite C. calcite
B. gypsum D. silica

12. What constitutes the size, shape, and arrangement of mineral grains in
a rock?
A. permeable origin C. cement
B. porosity D. texture

13. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a mineral?

A. naturally occurring C. Organic
B. solid D. crystal structure

14. What do you call to the tendency for a mineral to break along flat surfaces?
A. cleavage C. ductility
B. hardness D. tenacity
 15. What is the solid form of a mineral produced by a repeating pattern of
atoms?
A. crystal C. element
B. density D. fracture

Lesson 1 Minerals
Minerals make up the rocks beneath your feet, the soil that supports plants, and
the deep rock of Earth’s mantle. Any thorough study of Earth must include an
understanding of minerals. But it is not sufficient to study minerals isolated from
the rest of the planet. Rather we can learn more by observing the ways that
minerals interact with other Earth systems.

What’s In
This module contains activities that will enhance the teaching -learning process
among learners about the minerals. It deals with the characteristics of minerals
and the properties exhibited by the minerals. As the learners answer the
questions they will be able to explore and understand the concepts about
minerals. Moreover, they will develop awareness on the importance of minerals.

What’s New

Name the following pictures below. List down the usage of these object in our
daily activities. What do the objects presented below imply?

1.

2.
 3.

4.

5.

We are using these products made from minerals daily. Graphite is the mineral
used in wooden pencil. Halite is the mineral found in salt. Your cellphone is made
up of different minerals. The cars that we drive, the roads that we travel, the
building that we live in, are some examples of products derived from minerals.
Characteristics of Minerals

Arrange the jumbled letters to find the appropriate criteria to determine whether
a material is classified as a mineral or not.

1. N L T L A U R Y N G O I R U C C

- It is a product of Earth’s natural processes.

2. C A I I R O G N

- It must be product of Earth’s physical

processes.

3. S O U E N E G O M O H DILOS

- have definite shape and volume.

4. E N I L L A T S Y R C E S R T R U C U T

- atoms are arranged in order

of increasing pattern.
 5. L M C E H A I NOITOCMOPSI

- represented by chemical formula

What is It

What are Minerals?

Minerals are the building blocks of rocks. Mineralogists use the criteria
to determine whether a material is classified as
a mineral or not.

Characteristics of Minerals
1. naturally occurring- a product of Earth’s natural processes
2. inorganic- it must be product of Earth’s physical processes.
3. homogeneous solid- minerals should have definite volume and rigid shape
4. definite chemical composition—represented by a chemical formula
5. orderly crystalline structure- atoms of minerals are arranged in an
orderly and repeating pattern
Properties of Minerals
To identify minerals, mineralogists observe the following properties:
a. Color - mineral’s color may change depending on the surface.
b. Streak - color of mineral in powdered form.
c. Hardness - minerals resistance to scratching

Mohs Scale of Hardness (Diamond is the Hardest with a scale of 10)

Diamond
Corundum
Topaz
Quartz
Orthoclase
Apatite
Fluorite
Calcite
Gypsum
Talc

d. Cleavage - mineral’s resistance to being broken and fracture

e. Crystalline structure or habit
f. Diaphaneity/amount of transparency - ability to allow light to pass
through it. This is affected by chemical makeup of the mineral
sample.
g. Luster - how light is reflected off a surface
h. Tenacity - describes the minerals reaction to
stress. Brittleness- a mineral turns into powder
 Malleability a mineral can be flattened by pounding with a
hammer. Ductility- A mineral can be stretched into wire.
Flexible but inelastic-Minerals are bent but they remain in the new
position.
Flexible and elastic- Minerals are bent, and they bring back to their
original position.
Sectility- ability of minerals to be sliced by a knife.
Prepare a list of minerals based on the Mohs Scale of Hardness and identify some
products that make use of these minerals.

Minerals Products that contain the Mineral.

1. Diamond

2.Corundum

3.Topaz

4.Quartz

5.Orthoclase

6 Apatite

7.Fluorite

8.Calcite

9. Gypsum

10. Talc
W hat’s More

Understanding Science Words

The pictures below show the common minerals and their properties or uses.

Identify other properties exhibited by the minerals. Choose your answer from the
given choices.

BRITTLENESS MALLEABILITY DUCTILITY LUSTER SECTILITY

1. All true minerals can be drawn into wires

2. Overall sheen of mineral

3. A mineral can be hammered /flattened

4. A mineral can be cut by a knife _

 5. A mineral can be turned into powder

What I Have Learned

Fill in the Blanks

Identify the prominent properties exhibited by the following minerals. Fill in the
blanks to form the appropriate term that best fits the described mineral property.

1. L T R - a manner by which mineral reflects light.

Pyrite - a. k a. fool’s gold

2. S R K- color of mineral in powdered form.

Hematite- both types leave the same powder

3. L V G - tendency of mineral to break along flat surfaces

Mica crystal can be peel like layers of onion

 4. R C U - the manner breaks other than along planes of
cleavage.

Quartz creates smooth, curved surfaces

5. H R S - resistance of mineral to scratching and it is

the most commonly used property for identifying minerals.

Diamond has a scale of 10

HARDNESS FARCATURE CLEAVAGE

STREAK LUSTER

Matching Type

Match the properties of minerals in column A with the description of mineral

properties in column B.
Column A Column B
1. Mohs hardness scale A. describes the mineral reaction to stress
2. Sectility B. true color of mineral
3. Streak C. a ranking of mineral from softest hardest
4. Crystal D. ability of mineral to be cut by knife
5. Tenacity E. repeating pattern in minerals in solid
What I Can Do
List some of the uses of minerals around us.
Minerals Uses
1.Halite Mineral found in table salt;as
preservatives
2

3
4

Reflect Upon

Upon knowing the value of minerals in our everyday life, as a student how can
you help in conserving and preserving the natural sources of these minerals? (For
example, graphite is a mineral found in pencil).
 Assessment

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

1. Pyrite is a yellowish mineral that looks like gold and is commonly called
fool’s gold. What is the property of mineral exhibited by pyrite wherein it
reflects light and with metallic look?
A. Color C. Luster
B. Hardness D. Streak

2. Quartz can break other than along planes of cleavage. What is the
property of mineral that show this characteristic?
A. Cleavage C. Hardness
B. Fracture D. Tenacity

3. Some minerals like mica has surfaces with planes of weak bonds in the
crystals. Thus, its crystals can be peeled like layers of onion. What is
the property exhibited by mica?
A. Cleavage C. Hardness
B. Fracture D. Tenacity

4. Which property refers to the resistance of mineral to scratching?

A. Cleavage C. Hardness
B. Fracture D. Luster

5. What are the building blocks of rocks and it is mostly found in

the geosphere?
A. minerals C. ore
B. soil D. elements

6. In its powdered form, the mineral hematite is reddish. Which

mineral property is best described?
A. color C. Streak
B. luster D. hardness

7. Which is not a property that can be used to identify a mineral?

A. luster C. hardness
B. streak D. opaque

8. What is the property of mineral that reflects light on its surface?

A. Crystal structure C. streak
B. color D. luster
9. What is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a definite
crystalline structure and chemical composition?
A. compound C. mineral
B. crystal D. rocks

10. During the 1800’s, miners can identify real gold from pyrite through biting
the surface of the mineral. If a bite mark is exhibited, then the said
mineral is considered real gold. What property is tested in this scenario?
A. cleavage C. hardness
B. luster D. streak color

11. What is a carbonate mineral that occurs in a different crystal form and
is less common than either calcite or dolomite?
A. aragonite C. calcite
B. gypsum D. silica

12. What constitutes the size, shape and arrangement of mineral grains in
a rock?
A. permeable origin C. cement
B. porosity D. texture

13. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a mineral?

A. naturally occurring C. Organic
B. solid D. crystal structure

14. What do you call tendency for a mineral to break along flat surfaces?
A. cleavage C. ductility
B. hardness D. tenacity

15. What is the solid form of a mineral produced by a repeating pattern of

atoms?
A. crystal C. element
B. density D. fracture
 Additional Activities
Putting together
Directions: Complete the concept map below.

PROPERTIES MINERALS

1. Shows the true color

2. Resistance to scratching

3. Can be flatten into thin sheets

4. Show how light is reflected on the surface

5. Can be drawn into wires

Brainstorming
Assume you are a mineralogist that discovered a new type of mineral. To inform
not only the academe but also the common people, you are then tasked to make
an infographic that will state its characteristics, properties, and significance
(whether economic, health and scientific). Present these important data through
a concept map.
Finding the Perfect Match

Take at least 5 photos of minerals that are found in our day to day living. Identify
the said minerals and state their unique characteristics and significance.

Name: Name:
Characteristics: Characteristics:
Significance: Significance:

Name: Name:
Characteristics: _ Characteristics:

Significance: Significance: _
Name: Characteristics: Significance:
Name: Characteristics:
Significance: