Because it is :P
Hardness is valuable because it helps in mineral identification by determining resistance to scratching. Minerals with higher hardness values can scratch minerals with lower hardness values, aiding in their classification. Hardness also indicates the strength and durability of a mineral, making it useful for industrial and practical applications.
Jamal is likely testing the hardness of the minerals, which is a common property used for identification. This could involve scratching the minerals with a reference material or observing how easily they can be scratched. By assessing their resistance to scratching, he can compare the results with known hardness scales, such as Mohs scale, to help identify the minerals.
There are numerous silicate minerals present in Mohs hardness scale. Some examples include quartz (hardness of 7), feldspar (hardness of 6), and amphibole (hardness varies based on composition). Each of these minerals falls at different points on the scale, indicating their relative hardness compared to other minerals.
Minerals contribute to the hardness of rocks by their physical and chemical properties. Some minerals like quartz are harder and more resistant to abrasion, while others like calcite are softer and less durable. The arrangement and bonding of mineral crystals within rocks can also affect their overall hardness.
Hardness and resistance to fracture or cleavage in minerals are related but distinct properties. Hardness measures a mineral's ability to withstand scratching, while resistance to fracture or cleavage refers to how a mineral breaks under stress. A mineral can be hard but still exhibit cleavage, meaning it breaks along specific planes. Conversely, some minerals that are not very hard can still be highly resistant to fracturing.
When minerals are hit with a hammer, they may break, fracture, or shatter, depending on their hardness and crystal structure. Some minerals will form cleavage along specific planes, while others will show irregular fractures. This property can be used to help identify minerals based on their physical characteristics.
The most valuable gemstones are the clear, crystalline form of the harder minerals such as diamond, corundum, tourmaline, topaz, and garnet. Other minerals with exceptional clarity or color, and even some rock types are known commercially to be valuable as gemstones, but hardness is a key to frequent wearability.
Magnetism is a property that can be used for only a few minerals. Some minerals exhibit magnetic properties, while others do not. This property can be helpful in identifying and distinguishing certain minerals from others.
Gypsum, which has a Mohs hardness of 2, can scratch minerals that are softer than itself, such as talc (hardness 1) and calcite (hardness 3). Therefore, it can scratch talc but not calcite or any harder mineral. Other minerals that gypsum can scratch include some varieties of gypsum itself, like selenite.
Absolutely, based on the hardness of the minerals that compose them.
Sulfer and Igneous rock
Yes