Final answer:
In geology, minerals are identified through observable physical properties such as color, texture, grain size, sorting, and composition, which are essential for classifying and understanding the origin of rocks. Thus (option d) is right answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the field of geology, identifying minerals through their physical properties is an essential skill that can be conducted without high-tech equipment. To do this, you would examine several properties such as color, texture, grain size, and composition. Thus (option d) is right answer.
For example, a mineral's color can be noticeable, but other properties like texture could reveal if a rock is clastic (composed of fragments) or crystalline. Additionally, you may assess grain size, which can range from fine to coarse and is important for identifying clastic rocks. The sorting of these grains can tell you about the depositional environment of the rocks.
Identifying if the rock is foliated or non-foliated can help in determining the metamorphic grade. Metamorphic rocks might also be identified by their parent rocks and mineral content, whereas the properties of igneous rocks, such as being mafic, felsic, intermediate, or ultramafic, and extrusive or intrusive can be assessed too.
By comparing your observations with a rock and mineral guide, you can refine your identifications and learn about the specific characteristics of each sample. This practice is crucial for exercises, such as preparing a mineral kit for a project, and for exams where accurate mineral identification is required.