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Minerals are tested for hardness by performing a scratch test. The unknown mineral is scratched with another object that the hardness is known. For example, a unknown mineral may be scratched with a piece of metal to compare the resistance.
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How would a mineral collector determine the hardness of an unknown mineral specimen?
There are two ways. One way is to buy a scratch test kit and follow the instructions. They will tell you to try to scratch minerals of certain hardnesses and find the hardest one it can scratch. For example, if it scratches a mineral with a hardness of 6 but not one with a hardness of 7, the hardness would be between 6 and 7. If you do not have one of those available, you can try scratching common objects. Your fingernail is 1.5, a penny is 2.5, a pocketknife blade is 5.0, window glass is 5.5, a steel file is 6.5, and quartz is 7.0.
To find hardness of a mineral what would you look at?
To find the hardness of a mineral, you would look at its ability to resist scratching by harder substances. This is typically measured using the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which ranges from 1 (very soft) to 10 (very hard).
Is a mohs scale used to rank a mineral's luster?
Nope. It is actually the hardness. I'v been trying to find out what the Luster scale is myself....:S
What scale is used to find a mineral's hardness?
The scale used to find a mineral's hardness is called the Mohs scale. It ranges from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest), with each mineral tested against known reference minerals to determine where it falls on the scale based on its ability to scratch or be scratched by the reference minerals.
How could you find out the relative hardness of three minerals if you had no tools and couldn't use your fingernail?
You could perform a scratch test by trying to scratch one mineral with another. Whichever mineral leaves a mark or scratch on the other is harder. By comparing the results of scratching each mineral with the others, you can determine their relative hardness.
How would a collector of minerals determine the hardness of an unknown mineral specimen.?
You start by scratching it and seek it's hardness. When you find its hardness, compare it to another mineral with the same hardness. If they look exactly the same, and have the same arrangements of minerals, then they are the exact same mineral.
How would collector of minerals determine the hardness of an unknown mineral specimen?
You start by scratching it and seek it's hardness. When you find its hardness, compare it to another mineral with the same hardness. If they look exactly the same, and have the same arrangements of minerals, then they are the exact same mineral.
How would a mineral collector determine the hardness of an unknown mineral specimen?
There are two ways. One way is to buy a scratch test kit and follow the instructions. They will tell you to try to scratch minerals of certain hardnesses and find the hardest one it can scratch. For example, if it scratches a mineral with a hardness of 6 but not one with a hardness of 7, the hardness would be between 6 and 7. If you do not have one of those available, you can try scratching common objects. Your fingernail is 1.5, a penny is 2.5, a pocketknife blade is 5.0, window glass is 5.5, a steel file is 6.5, and quartz is 7.0.
What is it called when you perform a scratch test on a mineral?
It is called a streak and its purpose is to find the hardness of the mineral.
To find hardness of a mineral what would you look at?
To find the hardness of a mineral, you would look at its ability to resist scratching by harder substances. This is typically measured using the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which ranges from 1 (very soft) to 10 (very hard).
Is a mohs scale used to rank a mineral's luster?
Nope. It is actually the hardness. I'v been trying to find out what the Luster scale is myself....:S
How do you find hardness of an unknown mineral?
There are two ways. One way is to buy a scratch test kit and follow the instructions. They will tell you to try to scratch minerals of certain hardnesses and find the hardest one it can scratch. For example, if it scratches a mineral with a hardness of 6 but not one with a hardness of 7, the hardness would be between 6 and 7. If you do not have one of those available, you can try scratching common objects. Your fingernail is 1.5, a penny is 2.5, a pocketknife blade is 5.0, window glass is 5.5, a steel file is 6.5, and quartz is 7.0.
How do you find the density of an unknown mineral?
To find the density of an unknown mineral, you can measure its mass using a scale and then measure its volume by displacement in water. Divide the mass by the volume to calculate the density of the mineral.
Describe how you can test a mineral to determine its hardness density and streak?
Hardness: Try to use it to scratch other minerals and have other minerals scratch it. Take for example quartz. It's a 7.0 and will scratch every mineral below a 7.0 on the Mohs hardness scale. However, it will be scratched by everything above it such as Diamond (10.0) and Corundum( rubies andsapphires, 9.0)Streak: Use a streak plate and simply run the mineral down the plateDensity: Find the mass and volume of the mineral. For volume you'll more than likely, have a mineral that will beirregularlyshaped. You'll have to use the displacement method by filling a graduatedcylinderwith x amount of water and put the mineral inside subtracting and before and after water placement and find the difference. After this, you'll divide the mass by volume and you'll get your answer to the density of the mineral.
What scale is used to find a mineral's hardness?
The scale used to find a mineral's hardness is called the Mohs scale. It ranges from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest), with each mineral tested against known reference minerals to determine where it falls on the scale based on its ability to scratch or be scratched by the reference minerals.
How would you test a mineral to find out what it is?
Begin by taking a look at the mineral's color, Examine the mineral and take note of its surface features,Get out the materials needed for the hardness test (see Things You'll need), The number is the hardness, followed by the characteristics of a mineral of that hardness and an example, Next find out your mineral's luster,Now for the streak test, You can also identify a mineral by the way it breaks. If it breaks along a smooth, flat surface (such as mica), it has cleavage. If your mineral breaks along rough, jagged surfaces, it has fracture. Thats all you need to do.
How would you test mineral to find out what it is?
Begin by taking a look at the mineral's color, Examine the mineral and take note of its surface features,Get out the materials needed for the hardness test (see Things You'll need), The number is the hardness, followed by the characteristics of a mineral of that hardness and an example, Next find out your mineral's luster,Now for the streak test, You can also identify a mineral by the way it breaks. If it breaks along a smooth, flat surface (such as mica), it has cleavage. If your mineral breaks along rough, jagged surfaces, it has fracture. Thats all you need to do.
