FACULTY : CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING NO.

OF PAGES: 1/3
DEPARTMENT : INFRASTRUCTURE & GEOMATIC EDITION: LAB 1a
ENGINEERING NO. OF CHECKING:
LABORATORY : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY &
EFECTIVE DATE : 8/1/2007
GEOPHYSICS
TOPIC : IDENTIFICATION OF MINERALS (LAB 1a) AMENDMENT DATE: 8/1/2007

1.0 OBJECTIVE
To familiar with the physical properties of minerals in laboratory by hand.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

a) Students should able to identify various specimens of mineral by physical testing.
b) Students should able to identify minerals content in rock formation.

3.0 THEORY
Each mineral possesses certain physical properties or characteristics by which it may be recognized or
identified. Some are subjected to certain simple tests. Physical properties are useful in mineral identification.
A mineral can be defined as a natural inorganic substance having a particular chemical composition or range of
composition, and a regular atomic structure to which its crystalline from is related. To study rocks, it is necessary
to know the rock forming minerals.

4.0 EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

a) Minerals from Reference Set
b) Hardness Pens Set
c) Information & Hints
d) Eye dropper bottle with dilute HCI (appx. 10% solution)
e) Mineral Identification Chart

5.0 PROCEDURE
Students should learn to familiarize and observe the samples according by doing few physical tests and tabulate
the results from the observation in the Table 1.1 attached for:

a) Name of mineral
b) Colour
c) Luster
d) Hardness
e) Reaction with acid
f) Others/usage

Prepared by : Head of Engineering Geology and Geophysics Laboratory / Lecturer

Name : Mohd Hazreek Bin Zainal Abidin

Signature :

Date : 8 January 2007

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DEPARTMENT : INFRASTRUCTURE & GEOMATIC EDITION: LAB 1a
ENGINEERING NO. OF CHECKING:
LABORATORY : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY &
EFECTIVE DATE : 8/1/2007
GEOPHYSICS
TOPIC : IDENTIFICATION OF MINERALS (LAB 1a) AMENDMENT DATE: 8/1/2007

6.0 RESULT AND ANALYSIS

(a) MINERALS NAMES

Refer to the samples prepared (Mineral from reference set).

(b) COLOUR
The colour of the mineral is that seen by eye. Colour may be influenced by impurities in the sample, the light
in the room or strong reflective surfaces. Therefore, colour is a general rather than specific indicator.

(c) STREAK
Streak is the colour of a mineral in its powdered form. We can observe streak when we scraped a mineral
along a roughened surface such as unglazed pottery (porcelain slab streak plate), that mark left behind can
be a characteristic feature of the mineral. The streak is not necessarily the same as the colour of the mineral.

(d) LUSTRE
Luster is reflected from the surface of a mineral, the amount of light is a function of the state of the surface.
Luster is described in terms of the degree of brightness.

Metallic Like polished metal

Submetallic Less brilliant
Dull e.g. chalk
Viterous Like broken glass

(e) HARDNESS
The resistance of a mineral to abrasion (scratching) is termed hardness. This property is determined by
rubbing the mineral to be identified against another mineral of known hardness. One will stretch the other
(unless they have the same hardness). Geologists used a standard hardness scale, called the Mohs scale
developed by German Mineralogist Friedrich Mohs (1773 1839) which assigns relative hardnesses to
several common and a few rare and precious minerals as given below.

Relative hardness Minerals Mineralogy

10 Diamond Carbon
9 Corundum Alumina
8 Topaz Aluminium silicate
7 Quartz Silica
6 Feldspar Alkali silica
5 Apatite Calcium phosphate
4 Fluorite Calcium fluoride
3 Calcite Calcium carbonate
2 Gypsum Hydrated calcium sulphate
1 Talc Hydrated magnesium silicate

(f) REACTION WITH ACID

When dilute hydrochloric acid (typically 10%) is capped on to some minerals a reaction takes place. On calcite
(CaCO3) bubbles of carbon dioxide are produced, in some iron sulphide ores, hydrogen sulphide is produced.
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DEPARTMENT : INFRASTRUCTURE & GEOMATIC EDITION: LAB 1a
ENGINEERING NO. OF CHECKING:
LABORATORY : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY &
EFECTIVE DATE : 8/1/2007
GEOPHYSICS
TOPIC : IDENTIFICATION OF MINERALS (LAB 1a) AMENDMENT DATE: 8/1/2007

7.0 QUESTION AND DISCUSSION

Briefly describe and explain two (2) classifications of minerals for each type.

8.0 CONCLUSION
Conclude your results of the mineral samples in the Table 1.1 by rate its significance in construction industry, etc.
 TABLE 1.1 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERALS IDENTIFICATION

NAME COLOUR STREAK LUSTER HARDNESS REACTION WITH ACID SKETCH

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DEPARTMENT : INFRASTRUCTURE & GEOMATIC EDITION: LAB 1b
ENGINEERING NO. OF CHECKING:
LABORATORY : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY &
EFECTIVE DATE : 8/1/2007
GEOPHYSICS
AMENDMENT
TOPIC : IDENTIFICATION OF IGNEOUS ROCK (LAB 1b) 8/1/2007
DATE:

1.0 OBJECTIVE
To recognize, identified and observed distinguishing features of igneous rock specimen in the laboratory.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

a) Students should able to recognize types of igneous rock formation in Malaysia and Worldwide.
b) Students should able to evaluate the physical properties of igneous rocks for civil engineering application.
c) Students should able to understand igneous rock forming on the earth.

3.0 THEORY
(a) Criteria for distinguishing igneous rock
In describing any rock, one should proceed from the general to the particular, nothing firstly its colour, behaviour on
weathering and any other striking features and then deciding whether it is igneous or other types of rock. The outstanding
characteristics of the igneous rocks is given below, but must be emphasized that one characteristic by itself proof positive
that the rock belongs to a certain class.

Rock Type Characteristic

Interlocking grains, massive structures
Texture such as glassy, prophyritic, phaneritic, aphantic
Igneous
High feldspar or ferromagnesian content
Absent of stratification or fossils

(b) Description
Physical characteristics Colour
Massive rock is uniform in appearance showing no banding or other structural features
Structure Pegmatite the rock is very coarse grained
Vesicular the rock contains many cavities
Crystallinty or degree of crystallization
Holocrystalline wholly crystalline
Hemicrystalline partly crystals and partly glass
Holohyaline wholly glass
Texture
Granularity, the size of crystals
Fine-grained when particles are 1 mm or less in diameter
Medium grained when particles are 1 5 mm or more in diameter
Coarse grained when the particles are 5 mm or more in diameter

Prepared by : Head of Engineering Geology and Geophysics Laboratory / Lecturer

Name : Mohd Hazreek Bin Zainal Abidin

Signature :

Date : 8 January 2007

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DEPARTMENT : INFRASTRUCTURE & GEOMATIC EDITION: LAB 1b
ENGINEERING NO. OF CHECKING:
LABORATORY : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY &
EFECTIVE DATE : 8/1/2007
GEOPHYSICS
AMENDMENT
TOPIC : IDENTIFICATION OF IGNEOUS ROCK (LAB 1b) 8/1/2007
DATE:

4.0 EQUIMENT AND MATERIALS

a) Igneous rock from reference set
b) Igneous classification chart

5.0 PROCEDURE
Students should learn to familiarize and observe the samples by referring the igneous classification charts and tabulate the
results observation in the Tables 1.2.1 attached.

6.0 RESULT AND ANALYSIS

a) Rock name
b) Texture
c) Colour
d) Mineral composition
e) Chemical composition
f) Origin
g) Sketch / Others

7.0 QUESTION AND DISCUSSION

(1) Briefly explain two (2) types of igneous rock
(2) Explain the igneous rock classification according to the texture and chemical and mineral composition.

8.0 CONCLUSION
Conclude your observation of the igneous rock in the given Table 1.2.1 by rate its significance in construction industry, etc.
 TABLE 1.2.1 IDENTIFICATION OF IGNEOUS ROCK

MINERAL CHEMICAL
ROCK NAME TEXTURE COLOUR ORIGIN SKETCH
COMPOSITION COMPOSITION
IGNEOUS CLASSIFICATION CHART
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DEPARTMENT : INFRASTRUCTURE & GEOMATIC EDITION: LAB 1c
ENGINEERING NO. OF CHECKING:
LABORATORY : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY &
EFECTIVE DATE : 8/1/2007
GEOPHYSICS
TOPIC : IDENTIFICATION OF SEDIMENTARY ROCK AMENDMENT
8/1/2007
(LAB 1c) DATE:

1.0 OBJECTIVE
To recognize, identified and observed distinguishing features of sedimentary rock specimen in the laboratory.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

a) Students should able to recognize types of sedimentary rock formation in Malaysia and Worldwide.
b) Students should able to evaluate the physical properties of sedimentary rocks for civil engineering application.
c) Students should able to understand sedimentary rock forming on the earth.

3.0 THEORY

(a) Criteria for distinguishing sedimentary rock

In describing any rock, one should proceed from the general to the particular, nothing firstly its colour, behaviour on
weathering and any other striking features and then deciding whether it is sedimentary or other types of rock. The
outstanding characteristics of the sedimentary rocks is given below, but must be emphasized that one characteristic by
itself proof positive that the rock belongs to a certain class.

Rock Type Characteristic

Stratification and sorting of grains into layers according to their size.
Fragmental texture.
Grains often rounded.
Sedimentary Structures such as bedding, ripple marks and mud cracks.
Presence of fossils.
Presence of minerals of chemical or organic origin, such as halite, gypsum, chert carbonates.
Absence of easily weathered minerals such as biotite and augite.

(b) Description

Physical characteristics Colour

Structure Massive, bedded or cross bedded
Note whether grain is uniform or uneven.
Grain and constituents To be uneven, there must be marked contras between larger and smaller grains. If
the rock is uniform, it is usually fine in grain and does not show definite fragments,
but may contain fossils.

Prepared by : Head of Engineering Geology and Geophysics Laboratory / Lecturer

Name : Mohd Hazreek bin Zainal Abidin

Signature :

Date : 8 January 2007

 FACULTY : CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL
NO. OF PAGES: 2/2
ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT : INFRASTRUCTURE & GEOMATIC EDITION: LAB 1c
ENGINEERING NO. OF CHECKING:
LABORATORY : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY &
EFECTIVE DATE : 8/1/2007
GEOPHYSICS
TOPIC : IDENTIFICATION OF SEDIMENTARY ROCK AMENDMENT
8/1/2007
(LAB 1c) DATE:

4.0 EQUIMENT AND MATERIALS

a) Sedimentary rock from reference set
b) Sedimentary classification chart

5.0 PROCEDURE
Students should learn to familiarize and observe the samples by referring the sedimentary classification charts and
tabulate the results from the observation in the Table 1.2.2 attached.

6.0 RESULT AND ANALYSIS

a) Rock name
b) Texture
c) Mode of origin
d) Composition of clastic rock
e) Composition of crystalline rock
f) Sketch / others

7.0 QUESTION AND DISCUSSION

(1) List the characteristics that distinguish sedimentary rocks from igneous and metamorphic rocks.
(2) Explain all the genesis of sedimentary rocks.

8.0 CONCLUSION
Conclude your observation of the sedimentary rock in the given Table 1.2.2 by rate its significance in construction
industry, etc.
 TABLE 1.2.2 IDENTIFICATION OF SEDIMENTARY ROCK

COMPOSITION
ROCK NAME TEXTURE MODE OF ORIGIN CLASSIFICATION SKETCH
OF ROCK
SEDIMENTARY CLASSIFICATION CHART
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DEPARTMENT : INFRASTRUCTURE & GEOMATIC EDITION: LAB 1d
ENGINEERING NO. OF CHECKING:
LABORATORY : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY &
EFECTIVE DATE : 8/1/2007
GEOPHYSICS
TOPIC : IDENTIFICATION OF METAMORPHIC
AMENDMENT DATE: 8/1/2007
ROCK (LAB 1d)

1.0 OBJECTIVE
To recognize, identified and observed distinguishing features of metamorphic rock specimen in the laboratory.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

a) Students should able to recognize types of metamorphic rock formation in Malaysia and Worldwide.
b) Students should able to evaluate the physical properties of metamorphic rocks for civil engineering application.
c) Students should able to understand metamorphic rock forming on the earth.

3.0 THEORY

(a) Criteria for distinguishing sedimentary rock

In describing any rock, one should proceed from the general to the particular, nothing firstly its colour, behaviour on
weathering and any other striking features and then deciding whether it is metamorphic or other types of rock. The
outstanding characteristics of the metamorphic rocks is given below, but must be emphasized that one characteristic by
itself proof positive that the rock belongs to a certain class.

Rock Type Characteristic

Parallel orientation of mineral crystals.
Interlocking crystal.
Metamorphic
Secondary cleavage independent bedding.
Foliation, schistosity and slaty texture.

(b) Description

Physical characteristics Colour

Decide whether the rock is best described as uniform fine grained, medium fine
grained or coarse grained.
Structure and Grain The coarser grained granular rocks results from high-grade metamorphism in which
great pressure from many directions, not from one direction only, has been the
dominant factor.

Prepared by : Head of Engineering Geology and Geophysics Laboratory / Lecturer

Name : Mohd Hazreek Bin Zainal Abidin

Signature :

Date : 8 January 2007

 FACULTY : CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING NO. OF PAGES: 1/2
DEPARTMENT : INFRASTRUCTURE & GEOMATIC EDITION: LAB 1d
ENGINEERING NO. OF CHECKING:
LABORATORY : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY &
EFECTIVE DATE : 8/1/2007
GEOPHYSICS
TOPIC : IDENTIFICATION OF METAMORPHIC ROCK
AMENDMENT DATE: 8/1/2007
(LAB 1d)

4.0 EQUIMENT AND MATERIALS

a) Metamorphic rock from reference set
b) Metamorphic classification chart

5.0 PROCEDURE
Students should learn to familiarize and observe the samples by referring the metamorphic classification charts and
tabulate the results from the observation in the Table 1.2.3 attached.

6.0 RESULT AND ANALYSIS

(a) Rock name
(b) Structure
(c) Grain
(d) Mineral composition
(e) Parent Rock
(f) Metamorphism type
(e) Sketch / Others

7.0 QUESTION AND DISCUSSION

(1) What is foliation?
(2) Distinguish between slaty cleavage, phyllitic, schistosity and gneissic texture.

8.0 CONCLUSION
Conclude your observation of the metamorphic rock in the given Table 1.2.3 by rate its significance in construction
industry, etc.
 TABLE 1.2.4 IDENTIFICATION OF METAMORPHIC ROCK

MINERAL METAMORPHISM
ROCK NAME STRUCTURE GRAIN PARENT ROCK SKETCH
COMPOSITION TYPE
METAMORPHIC CLASSIFICATION CHART