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On them Mohs hardness scale, granite falls between 6/7 out of 10

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What is the Mohs Scale of hardness for granite?

Granite is not assigned a number on the Mohs scale of hardness. The Mohs scale is a measurement of the relative hardness of minerals. Because granite is a rock composed of a variety of minerals, only the individual minerals which compose it have a Mohs hardness.


Which is harder basalt or granite?

Both basalt and granite are types of rock, and a rock is composed of multiple minerals - except for some rocks composed of essentially one mineral like limestone (calcite) or quartzite (quartz). Minerals are crystalline compounds with known characteristics such as hardness, specific gravity, etc Therefore the hardness of the rock depends on the exact location on the rock you are testing the hardness, as it will vary from mineral to mineral. Some minerals even have differential hardness. Granite is composed of quartz, feldspar, and usually some ferromagnesian minerals such as biotite or hornblende (depending on the definition of a granite). Basalt is composed mostly of plagioclase (a feldspar) and pyroxene. Each of those minerals has a different hardness, and geologists never use the hardness of a "rock" to determine what kind of rock it is. Basalt is usually much finer grained than granite so it would be virtually impossible to determine the hardness of the individual mineral crystals. On Moh's hardness scale, the hardness of these rock-forming minerals are as follows: Quartz 7 Feldspar 6 (depending on the species of feldspar) Biotite 2.5-3 Pyroxene 5-6 (depending on the species of pyroxene) So the hardness of a rock is determined by the minerals, and in a coarse grained rock like a granite, the hardness can vary widely. The hardest mineral in granite (quartz) is harder than the hardest mineral in basalt (feldspar), but that's not enough to say that granite is conclusively harder than basalt. The resistance to breaking of a rock (which could be confused with the apparent hardness to a non-expert) is greatly affected by fractures, weathering, induration, welding, and many other features which are independent of mineral content.


Why is granite harder than marble?

Feldspar and quartz, with a hardness of 6 and 7 on the Mohs Scale respectively, are the minerals that give granite its abrasion resistance. Its hardness is due to the interlocking crystal structure as it cools from melt, making it among the hardest of rock types.


What are three properties of granite?

Granite is an igneous rock composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica. It is known for its durability and hardness, making it a popular choice for countertops and building materials. Granite comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, making it aesthetically versatile in design applications.


How hard is gneiss on the mohs scale?

== == The Mohs Scale is used to determine the relative hardness of a mineral as a comparison to another mineral. Because granite is a rock composed of multiple minerals, only crystals of specific minerals within the granite would be tested for hardness. Granite is typically composed of quartz (Mohs-7), potassium feldspar (Mohs-6), and biotite and muscovite micas (Mohs-2.0-2.5). The varying amounts of these minerals would made it difficult to assign a specific Mohs hardness to granite generally. Besides the Mohs scale, which only measures the hardness of minerals by their ability to scratch or be scratched by another mineral, the hardness of granite is greater than many other rock types because of its interlocking mineral structure which is a result of the growth of mineral crystals out of a molten state. As different minerals reach their point of crystallization in the Bowen's reaction series, they form in the space that remains in which to form, resulting in crystals which are tightly interlocked with each other.

Related Questions

What are the hardness and streak of granite?

Granite is a hard igneous rock with a hardness of around 6-7 on the Mohs scale. Its streak is typically colorless, leaving no streak on a streak plate.


Is bauxite harder than granite?

No, granite is harder than bauxite. Granite is a type of igneous rock that is known for its durability and hardness, while bauxite is a sedimentary rock that is softer in comparison.


What is the scale for the Mohs hardness scale?

Granite is not assigned a number on the Mohs scale of hardness. The Mohs scale is a measurement of the relative hardness of minerals. Because granite is a rock composed of a variety of minerals, only the individual minerals which compose it have a Mohs hardness.


Is granite an igneous rock?

Yes, granite is an igneous rock. It forms when molten magma cools and solidifies underground, creating a coarse-grained rock with a variety of mineral compositions, primarily quartz, feldspar, and mica.


What is the Mohs Scale of hardness for granite?

Granite is not assigned a number on the Mohs scale of hardness. The Mohs scale is a measurement of the relative hardness of minerals. Because granite is a rock composed of a variety of minerals, only the individual minerals which compose it have a Mohs hardness.


Which is harder basalt or granite?

Both basalt and granite are types of rock, and a rock is composed of multiple minerals - except for some rocks composed of essentially one mineral like limestone (calcite) or quartzite (quartz). Minerals are crystalline compounds with known characteristics such as hardness, specific gravity, etc Therefore the hardness of the rock depends on the exact location on the rock you are testing the hardness, as it will vary from mineral to mineral. Some minerals even have differential hardness. Granite is composed of quartz, feldspar, and usually some ferromagnesian minerals such as biotite or hornblende (depending on the definition of a granite). Basalt is composed mostly of plagioclase (a feldspar) and pyroxene. Each of those minerals has a different hardness, and geologists never use the hardness of a "rock" to determine what kind of rock it is. Basalt is usually much finer grained than granite so it would be virtually impossible to determine the hardness of the individual mineral crystals. On Moh's hardness scale, the hardness of these rock-forming minerals are as follows: Quartz 7 Feldspar 6 (depending on the species of feldspar) Biotite 2.5-3 Pyroxene 5-6 (depending on the species of pyroxene) So the hardness of a rock is determined by the minerals, and in a coarse grained rock like a granite, the hardness can vary widely. The hardest mineral in granite (quartz) is harder than the hardest mineral in basalt (feldspar), but that's not enough to say that granite is conclusively harder than basalt. The resistance to breaking of a rock (which could be confused with the apparent hardness to a non-expert) is greatly affected by fractures, weathering, induration, welding, and many other features which are independent of mineral content.


Is granite hard?

Feldspar and quartz, with a hardness of 6 and 7 on the Mohs Scale respectively, are the minerals that give granite its abrasion resistance. Its hardness is due to the interlocking crystal structure as it cools from melt, making it among the hardest of rock types.


What is the hardness of granite in Mohs hardness?

it is 6 1/2 in the mohs hardness scale


Is white marble softer than coloured marble?

Marble is a metamorphic rock and the hardness of the marble is determined by the indigenous rock of the area rather than color. There are some white marbles, such as Vermont White (from Brazil) that had a hardness close to that of granite.


Why is granite harder than marble?

Feldspar and quartz, with a hardness of 6 and 7 on the Mohs Scale respectively, are the minerals that give granite its abrasion resistance. Its hardness is due to the interlocking crystal structure as it cools from melt, making it among the hardest of rock types.


Granite is a that contains the mineral quartz?

Well let me think..... aw yes its.....(suspense)........ROCK


What are three properties of granite?

Granite is an igneous rock composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica. It is known for its durability and hardness, making it a popular choice for countertops and building materials. Granite comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, making it aesthetically versatile in design applications.