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The Mohs Scale of Hardness is used to measure hardness of a mineral, which is its resistance to scratching. It is a quantitative scale, which relies on the relative hardness of other minerals . Higher numbered minerals scratch lower numbered ones.

You can use every day objects like a glass plate, a knife, or a nail to distinguish hard and soft. Hard minerals scratch glass, but can't be scratched with a knife blade of a nail. Soft minerals will not scratch glass, but can be scratched with a knife blade or masonry nail. You can purchase hardness kits to help make these distinctions.

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Scratching a mineral with a nail is a test of what?

Scratching a mineral with a nail is a test of hardness. It helps determine the relative hardness of the mineral compared to known substances on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.


What do scientists use to determine mineral hardness?

Scientists use the Mohs scale of mineral hardness to determine the relative hardness of minerals. This scale ranks minerals from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest) based on their ability to scratch or be scratched by other minerals. By performing a scratch test, scientists can identify a mineral's hardness by comparing it to known minerals on the Mohs scale.


How do you determine the hardness of a mineral?

The hardness of a mineral is determined by scratching it with materials of known hardness, such as a fingernail, a copper penny, a steel nail, or a piece of glass. The mineral is assigned a hardness value based on which material can scratch it. This is known as the Mohs scale of hardness.


Scientists use this to determine a minerals resistance to being scratched?

A mineral's resistance to being scratched is known as it's hardness. You can determine hardness by scratching it with another material whose hardness is already known. If it can be scratched, then the hardness is lower. If the unknown leaves a scratch on the known material, then its hardness is higher.


What test do geologists use to determine the hardness of a mineral?

Geologists use the Mohs scale of mineral hardness to determine the relative hardness of a mineral by scratching it with minerals of known hardness. The scale ranks minerals from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest) based on their ability to scratch or be scratched by other minerals.

Related Questions

Scratching a mineral with a nail is a test of what?

Scratching a mineral with a nail is a test of hardness. It helps determine the relative hardness of the mineral compared to known substances on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.


What is used to to determine hardness of a mineral?

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What do scientists use to determine mineral hardness?

Scientists use the Mohs scale of mineral hardness to determine the relative hardness of minerals. This scale ranks minerals from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest) based on their ability to scratch or be scratched by other minerals. By performing a scratch test, scientists can identify a mineral's hardness by comparing it to known minerals on the Mohs scale.


What does the mohs scale determine?

it determines the hardness of a mineral.


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.


How do you determine the hardness of a mineral?

The hardness of a mineral is determined by scratching it with materials of known hardness, such as a fingernail, a copper penny, a steel nail, or a piece of glass. The mineral is assigned a hardness value based on which material can scratch it. This is known as the Mohs scale of hardness.


What is used to determine a mineral's resistance to being scratched?

The Mohs mineral hardness scale.


Scientists use this to determine a minerals resistance to being scratched?

A mineral's resistance to being scratched is known as it's hardness. You can determine hardness by scratching it with another material whose hardness is already known. If it can be scratched, then the hardness is lower. If the unknown leaves a scratch on the known material, then its hardness is higher.


To determine the hardness of a mineral what do scientists use.?

the mohs scale


How do you test a mineral for hardness?

Well. You can do many things like use the Mohs Hardness Scale or determine the hardness by the streak.


What test do geologists use to determine the hardness of a mineral?

Geologists use the Mohs scale of mineral hardness to determine the relative hardness of a mineral by scratching it with minerals of known hardness. The scale ranks minerals from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest) based on their ability to scratch or be scratched by other minerals.


What are 7 ways to determine the identity of a mineral?

Color: Observe the color of the mineral. Hardness: Use the Mohs scale to determine the mineral's hardness. Cleavage and fracture: Check how the mineral breaks. Luster: Determine if the mineral is metallic or non-metallic. Streak: Identify the color of the mineral's powdered form. Specific gravity: Measure the density of the mineral. Acid reaction: Test if the mineral reacts with acid.