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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.
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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.
What is the hardness of an unknown mineral that scratches glass but will not scratch quartz?
The unknown mineral would have a hardness greater than 5.5 (the hardness of glass) but less than 7 (the hardness of quartz). Based on the Mohs Hardness Scale, the unknown mineral would likely have a hardness between 6 and 7.
An unknown mineral scratches apatite and is scratched by corundum. What can you conclude about this mineral and hardness?
The unknown mineral has a hardness greater than that of apatite (which has a hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale) since it can scratch it. However, it has a hardness less than corundum (which has a hardness of 9) since it can be scratched by it. Therefore, we can conclude that the hardness of the unknown mineral is between 5 and 9 on the Mohs scale.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
An unknown mineral scratches glass but will scratch quartz What measure om the mohs scale shows its hardness?
The unknown mineral is not a mineral, or the pieces being scratched or doing the scratching are not freshly fractured or cleaved surfaces.
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 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 it called when you perform a scratch test on a mineral?
It is called a streak and its purpose is to find the hardness of the mineral.
