The mineral fluorite is harder than calcite. Fluorite is represented as a 4 on the Mohs scale of relative mineral hardness, calcite is a 3.
Fluorite and apatite are two minerals that are harder than calcite but softer than quartz on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. They have hardness values of 4 (fluorite) and 5 (apatite) respectively, compared to 3 for calcite and 7 for quartz.
Quartz- hardness 7 on Mohs Scale. (Calcite: 3, galena 2.5, talc 1)
A steel knife can scratch minerals with a hardness lower than that of steel, such as gypsum, calcite, fluorite, and talc. Minerals like quartz, topaz, and corundum are harder than steel and cannot be easily scratched by a steel knife.
Fluorite is a relatively soft mineral with a Mohs hardness of 4, so it can be scratched by harder materials like quartz, topaz, and corundum. However, fluorite can scratch materials with a lower hardness, such as gypsum and calcite.
Fluorite would be able to scratch calcite but not apatite, as fluorite has a higher hardness than calcite but a lower hardness than apatite on the Mohs scale.
Calcite is a mineral that is harder than gypsum but softer than fluorite on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Calcite has a hardness of 3, while gypsum has a hardness of 2 and fluorite has a hardness of 4.
Fluorite is a mineral that is harder than calcite but won't scratch glass. Calcite has a hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale, while fluorite has a hardness of 4. However, glass typically has a hardness of about 5.5, making it too hard for fluorite to scratch.
Fluorite and apatite are two minerals that are harder than calcite but softer than quartz on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. They have hardness values of 4 (fluorite) and 5 (apatite) respectively, compared to 3 for calcite and 7 for quartz.
The mineral being described is likely calcite. Calcite is composed of oxygen and carbon, has a hardness between fluorite and gypsum, and fizzes quickly when in contact with acid due to its reaction to the acid's carbonate content.
Calcite (CaCO3).
The mineral you are describing is calcite. Calcite contains both oxygen and carbon, and it has a hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale, making it softer than fluorite (hardness of 4) but harder than gypsum (hardness of 2). Additionally, calcite is known for its characteristic effervescence when it comes into contact with dilute acid, due to the release of carbon dioxide gas.
Quartz- hardness 7 on Mohs Scale. (Calcite: 3, galena 2.5, talc 1)
A steel knife can scratch minerals with a hardness lower than that of steel, such as gypsum, calcite, fluorite, and talc. Minerals like quartz, topaz, and corundum are harder than steel and cannot be easily scratched by a steel knife.
Fluorite is a relatively soft mineral with a Mohs hardness of 4, so it can be scratched by harder materials like quartz, topaz, and corundum. However, fluorite can scratch materials with a lower hardness, such as gypsum and calcite.
Fluorite is harder than feldspar, so scratching fluorite against feldspar would cause the fluorite to scratch the feldspar. This means the fluorite would leave a mark on the feldspar, showing that fluorite is harder than feldspar.
Fluorite with a Mohs hardness of 4 would be scratched by quartz (with a hardness of 7). Both calcite (Mohs hardness 3) and talc (Mohs hardness 1) are softer than fluorite.
On the Mohs mineral hardness scale, calcite is about a 3, and apatite is about a 5. So, whatever is at a hardness of 4 will scratch a 3 but not a 5. That mineral is fluorite.