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What property are you testing if you scratch a mineral with a penny a nail and your fingernail?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
It relative hardness, compared to others. It is relative because it does not give absolute values.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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What mineral property if you testing if you scratch a mineral on ceramic tile?
You're testing it's hardness.
What is the color of the mark made when a mineral sample is rubbed on a harder surface?
The mark is called a streak and the color depends on what mineral you are testing.
A student rubs a mineral across an unglazed procelain plate what mineral property is the student testing?
The streak test reveals the color of a mineral in a powdered state which is used as an identifying characteristic.
How do you identify minerals according to streak?
Minerals can be identified by their streak, which is the color of the mineral when it is broken down into a powder. To test a mineral's streak, a streak plate (usually made of unglazed porcelain) is used. The streak is usually compared to a streak color chart, which contains the colors of a variety of minerals. To test a mineral for its streak, take a small piece of the mineral and rub it on the streak plate. The resulting powder is then compared to the streak chart to identify the mineral. Streak is an important property of minerals because it is more reliable than the external color of the mineral. External color can be altered by impurities and oxidation, but the streak of a mineral does not change. Therefore, testing a mineral's streak is an effective way of identifying it.When identifying minerals according to streak, it is important to consider the following properties: Color - the color of the powder when rubbed on the streak plate. Luster - the shine of the powder when rubbed on the streak plate. Texture - the feel of the powder when rubbed on the streak plate. Opacity - the transparency of the powder when rubbed on the streak plate.By considering these properties when testing a mineral's streak, it is possible to identify the mineral accurately and quickly.
If you found a glassy-appearing mineral while rock hunting and had hopes that it was a diamond what simple test might help you make a determination?
Attempt to scratch it with a known diamond. If no mark is left, then you have found a diamond. If you want to try something that will not damage your sample, (if it is not a diamond, it will be scratched) you can try it the other way. Use the "Mohs" scale as your starting place, try scratching it with your fingernail first. If it doesn't, then it passes the first two levels of hardness. Then try a copper coin, if that leaves no scratch then you pass level three. If it isn't "easily" scratched with a knife, then it passes level four, with stones such as Fluorite. Then if you can not scratch it with your knife (use some effort), it's passed level five. Apatite is in that level. Then try a steel file, if you can't scratch it, you've passed level six. Finally if it scratches window glass, it is at least level seven hardness and Quartz is one of the stones in that level. If you've passed all the levels up to that and done nothing to damage your sample, then I might test it with the diamond and not be so concerned about risking what is called a semi-precious stone. You can always take the sample to a local jewelry store and ask them to test the stone for you. Most retail stores keep a tester on site, for quick on the spot testing. This wouldn't damage the stone in any way and then you would know if it was a diamond or not.
What mineral property are you testing if a fingernail scratches a mineral?
You are testing the relative hardness of the mineral.
What is the characteristic of a mineral that is revealed by testing what substances can scratch it and what the mineral can scratch?
it is hardness
A mineral that can by a steel file The property you are testing is the mineral's?
Hardness
What PROPERTY are geologists testing when they do a SCRATCH test?
Hardness
What kind of test is it when you scratch a mineral with a nail?
Most likely you would be testing to see if the mineral was harder or softer than the nail.
Does the density of a mineral depend on the size of the mineral sample?
No, to tell how hard a mineral is you either have to test it or determine what mineral it is. Testing uses materials of known hardness such as a fingernail, or copper penny, or scratch plate, if the mineral is scratched by whatever you use to test it is softer. Hardness however is not based on size it will be the same for any sample of the same rock no matter what the size because its based on atomic arrangement and bond type.
What mineral property if you testing if you scratch a mineral on ceramic tile?
You're testing it's hardness.
What are people testing when they scratch a diamond against glass?
they are testing if its real or not <3
When testing for hardness which is softest?
Talc (a common metamorphic mineral).
Do Mineral spirits show up in alcohol urine testing?
will not
What is the color of the mark made when a mineral sample is rubbed on a harder surface?
The mark is called a streak and the color depends on what mineral you are testing.
Why are chemical properties not always used to identify minerals?
Testing the chemical properties of a mineral might damage the mineral sample. Also, these tests can be complex and may require expensive equipment.
