answersLogoWhite

0

I would say streak (Is that a physical property?). Gold has a yellow streak, pyrite a very distinguishable greenish-black to brownish-black.

[A streak is obtained by scratching a mineral (or rock) on a streak plate (a white plate made of porcelain (floor tile-like), with a hardness of around 6.5 (Mohs scale)]

If streak is not a physical property I would say hardness: gold has a hardness of 2.5, pyrite of around 6. I'm sure there are other usuable physical properties, as density for ex.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Which physical property did prospectors use to tell the difference between iron pyrite and gold?

Prospectors used the physical property of density to differentiate between iron pyrite and gold. Gold is denser than iron pyrite, so prospectors could use the weight of a sample to determine whether it was more likely to be gold or iron pyrite.


Is weight a physical property that enables miners to distinguish between real gold and fool gold?

No, the physical property is DENSITY. Iron pyrite is less dense than gold.


What mineral property can be used to distinguish between pyrite and chalco pyrite?

Pyrite also known as "fool's gold" is a mineral that has both a different chemical, morphological and physical characteristics than gold. Gold is denser (i.e. the same size of gold is much heavier than the that of pyrite). Gold's average density is 17.64 g/cm3 while Pyrite's density is on average 5.01 g/cm3. The chemical formulas are different. Gold's chemical formula is "Au" while Pyrite's is and iron sulfate mineral with a formula of "FeS2". The color is also different, gold appears the color of gold while pyrite is more bronze in color. The crystallographic form of the minerals also vary. Gold is a very soft mineral while Pyrite is much harder (gold has a hardness of 2.5 while Pyrite is 6.5). To distinguish between a sample of each, you could scratch the surface of gold using your fingernail which you would not be able to do with pyrite. You can try to scratch it because pyrite or fools gold much harder then gold so if it doesn't scratch that much it is most likely pyrite or fools gold. You can tell them apart by looking at their reflection and streak. Also, gold is much more dense than pyrite, so the same volume would 'weigh' about 3.5 times more. Gold has a hardness of about 2.5, while pyrite is about 6 (Gold is softer and more malable). Streak is used to distinguish between Gold and Pyrite.


Is gold a chemical property or physical?

Gold is an elemental metal (Au) and is not a property.


What is an antonym for pyrite?

An antonym for pyrite could be "gold," as pyrite is often referred to as "fool's gold" due to its resemblance to real gold.


Is gold harder than pyrite?

No, gold is not harder than pyrite. Pyrite has a hardness of 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale, while gold has a hardness of 2.5-3. This means that pyrite is harder than gold.


Is Gold shiny a chemical property or physical property?

gold is an element


Is the density of solid gold chemical or physical property?

The density of solid gold is physical property


Can the density of solid gold be a physical property?

Yes, density is a physical property.


What is the real name for fools gold?

Pyrite


Why is gold valuable while pyrite is not?

In one word, scarcity. There is a lot of pyrite, not much gold.


What mineral is sometimes confused with gold?

Iron Oxide. Pyrite is known also as "Fool's Gold"