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Not particularly. One notable characteristic of sandstone is that it is 'friable'. This means that is is crumbly. This mainly applies to Orthoquartzite (a 'posh' word for common sandstone), but as there are many other types, it is impossible to take all into account. Something like an Arkose or a Greywacke (yes, that is a real word!) is a little harder, but all sandstones consist of relatively weak cements, but very hard clasts (grains). Orthoquartzite, for example, consists entirely of Quartz, which is a very hard mineral, and indeed all sandstones contain a high proportion of quartz fragments.

Overall, though, the stone itself is not hard, as a single grain removed from the rock is not the actual rock itself (when you walk on a beach, you are not walking on Orthoquartzite). This is only relative to other rocks.

All rock, however, is relatively hard. Since all rock is brittle, this makes it good for building with, and so sandstone is used for building. At high pressure, however, it crumbles and cracks easily, so a sandstone structure cannot be too tall.

From a geologist's perspective, it is weak, from a general perspective, it is useful for building (it is easy to acquire and use).

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How do minerals contribute to the hardness of rocks?

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.


Why does some rock wear down quicker than others?

Some rocks wear down quicker than others due to differences in their mineral composition and physical properties. Rocks with softer minerals or weak bonds between minerals are more susceptible to weathering and erosion. In contrast, rocks with harder minerals and stronger bonds are more resistant to wear and typically erode at a slower rate. Environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, and the presence of acids can also influence the rate of rock weathering.


Why are some rocks more permeable than others?

Some rocks are more permeable than others due to differences in their porosity and pore connectivity. Rocks with higher porosity and well-connected pores have greater permeability, allowing fluids to flow through more easily. Factors such as grain size, sorting, and cementation also play a role in determining the permeability of rocks.


Which rock would be harder to break with a hammer a sedimentary rock or an igneous rock?

You would normally think that an igneous rock would be harder to break. However, it completely depends on which igneous rock is being compared to which sedimentary rock, as their resistance to breakage is so varied. There are some igneous rocks (obsidian and pumice, for example) that would break much easier than some sedimentary rocks, such as chert or flint.


Do all rocks weather the same way?

Erosion rates depend on the composition of the rocks and how they are attacked by the environment.Different kinds of rocks have different composition and will erode at different rates.Rocks in different places will be affected differently by wind, water, ice, rain, pollutants, etc. and so they will erode at different rates.

Related Questions

Why do different rocks weather at different rates?

Depending on the minerals in their composition, some rocks are harder than others. Rocks that contain minerals with higher ratings on the Mohs scale are harder, and would erode more slowly than other rocks.


Could rocks be soft o squishie?

No, rocks are typically hard and rigid due to their mineral composition and the way they are formed. Rocks can vary in hardness, with some being harder than others, but they are not squishy like softer materials.


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It is hard to graduated from college?

For some people it takes longer, and it might be a little harder, but everyone struggles with some subjects harder than others. Some classes will be harder than others, but to answer your question in my opinion for me it wasn't hard, but for some it is a little hard. It definitely takes patience and that's usually hard for everyone. It's fun though!


Are some rocks harder than other rocks?

Absolutely, based on the hardness of the minerals that compose them.


Is igneous harder than sedimentary rocks?

Not necessarily. The hardness of a rock depends on its mineral composition and how it formed, rather than the type of rock it is. Some igneous rocks are harder than sedimentary rocks, while others may be softer. It varies depending on the specific rock type within each category.


Why are some sedimentary rocks hard and others are soft and tend to fall apart easily?

The harder ones are fairly newer, and the softer ones have been through more weathering.


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Some do others don't.


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hell yes