Free Printable WorksheetScienceGrade 9Science CurriculumNGSS HS-ESS2-1, HS-ESS2-3

9.91 Minerals and Diagnostic Properties Worksheet

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Worksheet Overview & Skills Covered

Core academic competencies and curriculum alignment

This Physical Science with Earth and Science Science worksheet provides structured practice on 9.91 Minerals and Diagnostic Properties. Students are guided through targeted exercises that build foundational understanding, computational accuracy, and critical thinking skills.

Minerals and Diagnostic Properties: MCQ focus: identify minerals using hardness, streak, luster, cleavage, fracture, color, and density evidence. Aligned to NGSS high school Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering Design; NRC/DCI; SEP/CCC; CCSS math/literacy connections; selected CA NGSS, NYSSLS, Florida CPALMS, and Texas TEKS references NGSS HS-ESS2-1, HS-ESS2-3 - NGSS-aligned Minerals and Diagnostic Properties: NGSS: HS-ESS2-1; HS-ESS2-3; NRC/DCI: ESS2.A-B; SEP/CCC: Analyzing data / Patterns; Common: RST.9-10.7; State refs: CA/NYSSLS same HS-ESS PE family; FL SC.912.E.6; TX Earth Systems 112.49.

Whether you are an educator preparing classroom handouts, a tutor reinforcing weekly topics, or a parent supporting homeschool learning, this printable resource gives students the deliberate practice required to achieve subject fluency and master state standards.

Grade

Physical Science with Earth and Science

Subject

Science

Domain

Science Curriculum

Formats

PDF & DOCX

Sample Practice Problems

Preview the types of problems and questions covered in this worksheet

Below are sample questions representative of the exercises included on this worksheet and related 9.91 Minerals and Diagnostic Properties skill assessments:

Problem 1Difficulty: Mastery

An unknown mineral has white streak, hardness 6, nonmetallic luster, and two cleavage directions near 90 degrees. Which claim is most defensible?

AThe mineral is definitely quartz because all white-streak minerals are quartz.

BThe mineral is likely feldspar, not quartz, because cleavage is present.

CThe mineral is galena because it has nonmetallic luster.

DThe mineral is talc because it scratches glass.

Solution & Explanation:Feldspar and quartz can both be light colored, but feldspar has two cleavage directions while quartz fractures.

Problem 2Difficulty: Mastery

Two dark minerals both have hardness near 6 and dark color. Mineral A has cleavage angles near 90 degrees and stubby fragments; Mineral B has cleavage angles near 60 and 120 degrees with splintery fragments. Which identification is best?

ABoth are halite.

BBoth are quartz.

CA is hornblende and B is augite.

DA is augite and B is hornblende.

Solution & Explanation:Pyroxene minerals such as augite commonly have cleavage near 90 degrees, while amphibole minerals such as hornblende have angles near 60 and 120 degrees.

Problem 3Difficulty: Mastery

Refer to the mineral evidence table. Which sample shows fracture rather than cleavage, and why?

ASample A because it has three flat planes

BSample C because it has curved irregular surfaces with no repeating flat planes

CSample D because it forms cubes

DSample B because it splits into thin sheets

Solution & Explanation:Fracture is irregular or curved breakage; the other samples show repeated flat cleavage surfaces.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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QWhat grade level and standards does this worksheet align with?

This worksheet is designed specifically for Physical Science with Earth and Science Science students. It aligns with educational standard NGSS HS-ESS2-1, HS-ESS2-3 (NGSS: HS-ESS2-1; HS-ESS2-3; NRC/DCI: ESS2.A-B; SEP/CCC: Analyzing data / Patterns; Common: RST.9-10.7; State refs: CA/NYSSLS same HS-ESS PE family; FL SC.912.E.6; TX Earth Systems 112.49.).