Grade 4 · Science · Unit 5 of 6
Rocks, Minerals & Mining
Hardness, kinds of rock, potash and uranium
What your child practises
Mineral properties (hardness, lustre, streak), igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock, the Canadian Shield, and how Saskatchewan's potash, uranium and gold mining helps and affects people and the land.
Saskatchewan Curriculum outcome: RM4.1, RM4.2 · physical properties of rocks and minerals, and how human uses such as mining affect people, society and the environment
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Put the minerals in order, from softest to hardest.
- 🤍talc
- 🔶calcite
- ⚪gypsum
- 💎quartz
Show answer
talc → gypsum → calcite → quartz
Hint: Talc is the softest mineral. Gypsum, calcite and quartz are harder. Diamond is the hardest.
Question 2
How can a mining company help the land after a mine closes?
🌱- bury garbage
- leave the pits as they are
- clean it up and plant native plants
- pour in oil
Show answer
clean it up and plant native plants
Hint: This is called reclamation.
Question 3
Why do scientists test a mineral in many ways, and not just by colour?
🎨- it takes less time
- colour never changes
- colour does not exist
- colour can be the same in different minerals
Show answer
colour can be the same in different minerals
Hint: Some minerals come in many colours.
Question 4
A rock is shiny, hard and scratches glass. What other test helps identify it?
🔎- its price
- its smell
- its streak
- its age in years
Show answer
its streak
Hint: More than one test is better than just one.
Question 5
What is a streak test?
🧪- how far a rock rolls
- how it tastes
- the colour of a mineral's powder on a tile
- how loud it is
Show answer
the colour of a mineral's powder on a tile
Hint: Rub a mineral on a white tile to see its streak.
Question 6
What is one bad effect of mining?
⚠️- it grows more forest
- it can harm land, water or habitat
- it adds fish
- it cleans rivers
Show answer
it can harm land, water or habitat
Hint: Mining must be done carefully.