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How would a collector of minerals determine the hardness of an unknown mineral specimen.?
You start by scratching it and seek it's hardness. When you find its hardness, compare it to another mineral with the same hardness. If they look exactly the same, and have the same arrangements of minerals, then they are the exact same mineral.
How would collector of minerals determine the hardness of an unknown mineral specimen?
You start by scratching it and seek it's hardness. When you find its hardness, compare it to another mineral with the same hardness. If they look exactly the same, and have the same arrangements of minerals, then they are the exact same mineral.
What is the Mohs scale used for, and how does it help in determining the hardness of minerals?
The Mohs scale is used to measure the hardness of minerals. It ranks minerals from 1 to 10 based on their scratch resistance. By comparing the hardness of an unknown mineral to the known hardness of minerals on the scale, one can determine the relative hardness of the unknown mineral.
How can you identify unknown minerals?
you need to determine; hardness, color, transparency, and how they break. Those 4 combined will identify most minerals. There are other tests, but they get more complicated.
If an unknown has hardness between 5 and 9 what could you do to the mineral to find out mor about its hardness?
To determine the hardness of a mineral with a hardness between 5 and 9, you can perform a scratch test using reference minerals from the Mohs scale. Start by testing it against minerals with known hardness values, such as quartz (hardness 7) and topaz (hardness 8). If the unknown scratches quartz but is scratched by topaz, its hardness is between 7 and 8. This method will help narrow down the mineral's hardness more precisely.
How would a mineral collector determine the hardness of an unknown mineral specimen?
There are two ways. One way is to buy a scratch test kit and follow the instructions. They will tell you to try to scratch minerals of certain hardnesses and find the hardest one it can scratch. For example, if it scratches a mineral with a hardness of 6 but not one with a hardness of 7, the hardness would be between 6 and 7. If you do not have one of those available, you can try scratching common objects. Your fingernail is 1.5, a penny is 2.5, a pocketknife blade is 5.0, window glass is 5.5, a steel file is 6.5, and quartz is 7.0.
What is relative hardness of a mineral can be best tested by?
The relative hardness of a mineral can be best tested by conducting a scratch test against common minerals with known hardness values, such as the Mohs Scale of Hardness. By observing which mineral scratches another, you can determine the relative hardness of the unknown mineral.
If an unknown mineral has a hardness between 5 and 9 what could you do to the mineral to find out more about its hardness?
To determine the hardness of an unknown mineral with a hardness between 5 and 9, you can perform a scratch test using various reference minerals or materials with known hardness values from the Mohs scale. Start by testing the unknown mineral against a mineral with a hardness of 5, such as apatite, and gradually work your way up to harder minerals, like quartz (7) and topaz (8), until you observe whether the unknown mineral can scratch or be scratched by them. This will help you narrow down its hardness range more precisely. Additionally, using tools like a hardness kit with standardized materials can offer a more accurate assessment.
How could you determine the hardness rating for a mineral not listed on the scale?
Moh's Scale of Hardness # Talk # Gypsum # Calcite # Fluorite # Apatite # Orthocalse Feldspar # Quartz # Topaz # Corundum # Diamond Has only 10 minerals in it. There are literally 100s if minerals to be found in the rocks that are not used in the scale but that can have their hardness related to the scale. e.g. graphite, galena, beryl, zircon etc.
Describe how to find the hardness of unknown mineral?
Minerals are tested for hardness by performing a scratch test. The unknown mineral is scratched with another object that the hardness is known. For example, a unknown mineral may be scratched with a piece of metal to compare the resistance.
Scientists use this to determine a minerals resistance to being scratched?
A mineral's resistance to being scratched is known as it's hardness. You can determine hardness by scratching it with another material whose hardness is already known. If it can be scratched, then the hardness is lower. If the unknown leaves a scratch on the known material, then its hardness is higher.
How is the Mohs scale used?
by determing what minerals are the hardest and softest2.5-3 on the Mohs scale
