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The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is purely ordinal, meaning it does not rely any relative difference in values. Using a sclerometer, it will take twice as much force to create the same scratch in topaz as quartz.

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Why can copper scratch fluorite?

Copper can scratch fluorite because of the difference in their hardness levels, as measured on the Mohs scale. Fluorite has a hardness of 4, while copper has a hardness of around 3.5. Since a harder material can scratch a softer one, copper can easily scratch the surface of fluorite.


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.


Does gypsum scratch flourite?

No. Gypsum has a hardness on the Mohs scale of 2. Topaz has a hardness on the Mohs scale of 8. This means that topaz ranks much harder than gypsum and that gypsum cannot scratch topaz. Please do not refer to these numbers as absolute hardness. This does not mean that topaz is 4 times as hard as gypsum since they are ranked 8 and 2. The Mohs scale only designates a hardness scale of 1 through 10 so that geologists and mineralogists in the field have a quick way of determining a mineral's identity or eliminating possible options of what the mineral may be.


A substance with a hardness of 8 will scratch a substance with a hardness of 7?

Yes, a substance with a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale will scratch a substance with a hardness of 7. The Mohs scale compares the hardness of minerals, and a substance can scratch any mineral with a lower number on the scale.


Would a mineral of a hardness of 9 leave a streak Why or why not?

A mineral with a hardness of 9, such as corundum, would not leave a streak on a streak plate because it is harder than the plate itself, which typically has a hardness of about 6. A harder mineral cannot scratch a softer material, so it wouldn't produce a streak. Streak is determined by the powder left behind when a mineral is scraped against a harder surface, and since the mineral is too hard, it cannot do so.


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.


What is the mineral with a hardness of 1 on the Mohs scale?

Talc is the mineral with a hardness of 1 on the Mohs scale.


Can sandstone be scratched by a nail?

Yes, sandstone can be scratched by a nail. Sandstone typically has a hardness of around 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, depending on its composition, which means it can be scratched by materials that are harder, such as steel. Since a typical nail is made of steel, it can easily scratch the surface of sandstone.


How do you convert mohs hardness to mpa?

To convert Mohs hardness to megapascals (MPa), you can use empirical correlations, as there is no direct conversion since Mohs hardness is a qualitative scale based on scratch resistance. A common approximation suggests that the hardness in MPa can be estimated by multiplying the Mohs hardness value by approximately 100 MPa. However, this is a rough estimate and can vary significantly depending on the material. For precise applications, it is best to refer to specific material data or conduct direct hardness testing.


What is the hardest element in the world iron or diamonds?

Diamonds are harder than iron. Diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring substance known, scoring a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, while iron is relatively soft and malleable, with a Mohs hardness of around 4.


What would life be like without quartz?

Life without quartz would impact various industries such as electronics, jewelry, and construction since quartz is used in these areas for its hardness, durability, and electrical properties. It would also affect technology as quartz is a key component in many devices like watches and computers. Additionally, quartz is found in many natural environments and its absence could alter ecosystems and geological formations.


If an iron nail is harder than gypsum and softer than calciteapproximately what hardness might it rate?

An iron nail typically has a hardness of around 4 to 5 on the Mohs scale. Gypsum rates at about 2, while calcite is around 3. Therefore, since the iron nail is harder than gypsum and softer than calcite, it would likely rate closer to 4.