0
Which physical property would be best to use to distinguish hematite from the other minerals in the table?
The best physical property to distinguish hematite from other minerals is its characteristic reddish-brown streak. When powdered, hematite leaves a streak that is typically a reddish hue, which is distinct from many other minerals. Additionally, hematite has a metallic to earthy luster and a hardness of about 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, which can also aid in identification.
What else can I help you with?
What is the most diagnostic physical property of a mineral?
The most diagnostic physical property of a mineral is its hardness, which is measured on the Mohs scale. Hardness indicates how resistant a mineral is to scratching and can help distinguish between different minerals. For example, talc is the softest mineral on the scale (1), while diamond is the hardest (10). Other important properties include color, luster, and streak, but hardness is often the most reliable for identification.
Which property categorizes minerals as either metallic and nonmetallic?
The property that categorizes minerals as either metallic or nonmetallic is their luster. Metallic minerals exhibit a shiny, reflective surface that resembles metal, while nonmetallic minerals have a dull, glassy, or earthy appearance. This distinction helps in identifying and classifying minerals based on their physical characteristics and potential applications.
Which physical property of minerals is described as the least useful?
Color, It can point you in the right direction but color lies all the time
What mineral produces a black streak when rubbed on a piece of unglazed porcelain?
The mineral that produces a black streak when rubbed on unglazed porcelain is hematite. Hematite is an iron oxide mineral that typically appears metallic gray or reddish-brown in color, but its streak, which is the color of the powder it leaves behind, is characteristically black. This property is often used to help identify minerals in hand specimens.
Is hardness a property used to distinguish a substance?
Yes, hardness is a specific property of each material.
Which physical property would be best to use to distinguish hematite from the other mineral?
One physical property that can be used to distinguish hematite from other minerals is its streak color. Hematite typically leaves a reddish-brown streak when scratched against an unglazed porcelain plate. This can help differentiate it from other minerals that may have different streak colors.
What physical property would be the best for identifying hematite?
The best physical property for identifying hematite is its reddish-brown streak, which can be observed when the mineral is scratched across a porcelain streak plate. Additionally, hematite typically exhibits a metallic to earthy luster and has a hardness of about 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. Its distinctive color and streak, along with its relatively high density, make it easily identifiable among other minerals.
What is the only physical property that can be used to distinguish between pyrite and chalcopyrite assuming that both minerals are the same color?
The only physical property that can be used to distinguish between pyrite and chalcopyrite, assuming both minerals are the same color, is hardness. Pyrite is harder than chalcopyrite, so a scratch test with a harder material like a knife or fingernail can help differentiate between the two minerals.
Shiny minerals are said to have a metallic?
Yes, shiny minerals have a metallic luster due to the way light is reflected off their surfaces. This luster is a physical property of minerals, indicating their metallic appearance. Examples of minerals with metallic luster include pyrite, galena, and hematite.
What property would be the most useful in telling hematite and magnetite apart?
The property that would be most useful in telling hematite and magnetite apart is magnetism. Magnetite is strongly magnetic, whereas hematite is not magnetic. This distinction can help differentiate between the two minerals.
What physical property can be used to distinguish quartz from amphibole?
One physical property that can be used to distinguish quartz from amphibole is hardness. Quartz has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, while amphibole minerals like hornblende have a hardness ranging from 5 to 6. Additionally, quartz typically has a glassy luster, while amphibole minerals have a dull to vitreous luster.
What is the least reliable physical property for identifying minerals?
Color is the least reliable physical property for identifying minerals because many minerals can have the same color but different compositions.
Is the ability to transmit light a chemical or physical property?
It's a physical property used in identifying minerals.
Why might it be helpful to know the specific gravity of a mineral?
Knowing the specific gravity of a mineral can help in mineral identification because it is a unique physical property that can distinguish between different minerals. It can also provide information on the composition and density of the mineral, which can be useful for various scientific and industrial applications.
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.
Loretta finds a substance that she believes is a mineral The first thing she notices about this substance is that it is attracted to magnets Can this be a mineral?
No, being attracted to magnets is not a characteristic of minerals. Minerals are defined by their natural, inorganic solid structure with a specific chemical composition and ordered internal arrangement. Magnetism is a physical property that some minerals may exhibit, but it alone does not determine whether a substance is a mineral.
What mineral property involves iron?
Magnetism is a mineral property that involves iron. Iron-containing minerals like magnetite and hematite are naturally magnetic and can attract other materials like iron filings.
