- CRYSTAL SHAPE EXERCISE 1 -
DETERMINING CRYSTAL SHAPE
What you have to do is this:

  1. After you have read these instructions (1 through 9), you will go to the Virtual Crystal Shape Testing Lab. There you will see the Crystal Shape Evaluation Table. A non-working sketch (not the real thing) of the Table is shown on the right. The mineral numbers on this sketch are not the same as on the real table!

  2. HOW THE TABLE WORKS. The table is designed to allow you to determine the shapes of crystals. In the bottom of the central section of the Table is a large box in which instructions will appear as you perform the investigation.

  3. On the left of the Table is a list of crystals of minerals to be tested. The minerals are identified by numbers. On the real Table, when you click on one of the crystals (other than 'None'), a picture of the crystal will appear in the box at the top left of the central section of the Table. One or more views of the same crystal may be shown.

  4. On the right of the Table is a list of ideal shapes, identified by letters. As you move the cursor over the buttons, the shapes will appear in the box at the top right of the central section of the Table. One or more views of the same shape may be shown.

  5. Examine the list of crystal numbers. If the number of one of the minerals you have been assigned appears on the list, click on the button next to it. Look carefully at the shape of the crystal in the picture that appears.

  6. Now roll your cursor over all the 'shape' buttons. Examine the shapes that appear until you find which one (or ones) most closely matches the shape of the crystal you have chosen.

  7. Remember that the crystals are real and may be broken or not perfectly developed. Do not expect the shape of the actual crystal to exactly match an ideal shape!

  8. In some cases, multiple 'views' of crystals and/or shapes are shown so as to provide a better idea of the actual, three-dimensional objects. Make sure to take all 'views' into account when matching crystals with shapes!

  9. Record the number of the mineral and the letter(s) of the shapes on your printout of Part A of the Mineral Properties Form.

  10. If another of your assigned minerals appears in the crystal list, repeat the above procedure.

NOW THAT YOU'VE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, CLICK ON THE GREY BAR BELOW AND....
© 2001, David J. Leveson