1. What Materials Make Up the Earth’s Surface? Diamonds, rubies, and gold! These are minerals that come from the earth. Imagine—There are places on earth where people can dig up gems and metal!
3. Luster: The way a mineral reflects light. Minerals that reflect a lot of light are shiny. Gold is an example of a mineral that reflects a lot of light. Properties of Minerals
4. Color Minerals come in many different colors. Some minerals are found in several colors, and some may even change color. Some minerals are used to make gemstones. Properties of Minerals
5. Hardness If you want to know how hard a mineral is, rub it against another mineral. The harder mineral will scratch the softer mineral. The hardness of a mineral helps to identify the mineral Diamonds are the hardest mineral Properties of Minerals
6. Rocks are not all alike! Some form deep inside the earth. Others form at the bottom of lakes and oceans. Rocks
7. Some igneous rocks are made from magma that cools below the earth’s surface. Granite is an igneous rock. Igneous Rock
8. Are made of tiny pieces of other rocks, shells, and other materials. Formed in the bottom of the water by the pressure of the water. Sandstone is an example of sedimentary rock. Sedimentary Rock
9. Rocks that are deep inside the earth and change into different kinds of rocks. Heat and pressure change the rocks over many years. Limestone (a sedimentary rock) can be changed into marble. Metamorphic Rock
10. Is formed from years of weathering of rocks and minerals and the decaying of dead plants and animals. Contains air and water. Used by plants and animals for nutrients. Soil
11. Sand Loose and has large grains Does not hold water well Soil with too much sand is not best for growing crops Types of Soil
12. Clay Smooth and has fine, tightly packed grains Water does not soak into clay quickly Clay can hold a lot of water Rich in nutrients Plants do not grow well in clay because it is too hard for roots to grow in Types of Soil
13. Topsoil Dark soil Rich in nutrients Holds water well Plants grow well in topsoil Types of Soil
