Clue 1 - Minerals - Station 3     Minerals in igneous rocks: Mica
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
8:39 AM
Station 3:  Mica
Biotite and Muscovite
To learn more
Click on the image to see muscovite and biotite mica.
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3D model or biotite mica
From the Virtual Museum of Minerals and Molecules
3D model or muscovite mica
From the Virtual Museum of Minerals and Molecules
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Click on image to see everyday items and the minerals they contain
CONNECT
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Vermiculite 
A soil amendment made from weathered mica.
Vermiculite with asbestos
An unfortunate source of vermiculite in the past
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The shiny stuff in the sand at the beach - not gold, not fool's gold, but mica!
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Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine, California
Observe the specimens of biotite mica and muscovite mica at this station.  Mica is easy to recognize because it is flaky and shiny.
Distinguish muscovite from biotite.
Which mica is nearly black and dark-colored? 
Hint:  Use the mineral photo resource to find the answer?   Detectives and scientists rely on many identification resources to make a decision as well as personal experience.
Which mica is lighter shades of gray and more transparent?
See how the arrangement of atoms causes mica to be flaky.
Look at the online models of mica that show how the atoms inside it are arranged.
Mica separates into thin flaky layers because the forces that hold the atoms together across flakes is not strong.  
Strongly attached or bonded atoms are shown  by sticks in the diagram.     Weak areas have no sticks and the atoms are spaced further apart.
Rotate the model until you find the planes through the structure of atoms where the atoms are not attached very strongly. 
Rotate the model until you can see the planes of weakness in the model.  Then capture an image and paste it into the space to the right.
How to decide whether you should mine a particular rock or mineral?
Rocks and the minerals in them are the source of many elements we need to build the material objects in our everyday lives, except for food, energy and clothing usually.  Rocks are made of minerals so if the rock contains a mineral you want, you would mine that rock. 
Are atoms of silicon and oxygen found in the minerals biotite and muscovite? 
Hint:  You've used a resource that show the types of atoms inside these minerals.  Being a good detective include recalling resources and clues.  
Are atoms of gold found in biotite or muscovite?
Gold atoms would be labeld "Au". 
If you needed gold, would you buy a mica mine?  Explain why or why not.
What minerals and/or rocks would you mine if you needed atoms of niobium for your cell phone?
You learned about this ore rock in class.  An ore is any rock that can be sold profitably.