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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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Skylar Hagenes

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If an unknown mineral has a hardness between 5 and 9 what could you do to the mineral to find out more about its hardness?

To determine the hardness of an unknown mineral with a hardness between 5 and 9, you can perform a scratch test using various reference minerals or materials with known hardness values from the Mohs scale. Start by testing the unknown mineral against a mineral with a hardness of 5, such as apatite, and gradually work your way up to harder minerals, like quartz (7) and topaz (8), until you observe whether the unknown mineral can scratch or be scratched by them. This will help you narrow down its hardness range more precisely. Additionally, using tools like a hardness kit with standardized materials can offer a more accurate assessment.


If an unknown has hardness between 5 and 9 what could you do to the mineral to find out mor about its hardness?

To determine the hardness of a mineral with a hardness between 5 and 9, you can perform a scratch test using reference minerals from the Mohs scale. Start by testing it against minerals with known hardness values, such as quartz (hardness 7) and topaz (hardness 8). If the unknown scratches quartz but is scratched by topaz, its hardness is between 7 and 8. This method will help narrow down the mineral's hardness more precisely.


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

Related Questions

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.


If an unknown mineral has a hardness between 5 and 9 what could you do to the mineral to find out more about its hardness?

To determine the hardness of an unknown mineral with a hardness between 5 and 9, you can perform a scratch test using various reference minerals or materials with known hardness values from the Mohs scale. Start by testing the unknown mineral against a mineral with a hardness of 5, such as apatite, and gradually work your way up to harder minerals, like quartz (7) and topaz (8), until you observe whether the unknown mineral can scratch or be scratched by them. This will help you narrow down its hardness range more precisely. Additionally, using tools like a hardness kit with standardized materials can offer a more accurate assessment.


If an unknown has hardness between 5 and 9 what could you do to the mineral to find out mor about its hardness?

To determine the hardness of a mineral with a hardness between 5 and 9, you can perform a scratch test using reference minerals from the Mohs scale. Start by testing it against minerals with known hardness values, such as quartz (hardness 7) and topaz (hardness 8). If the unknown scratches quartz but is scratched by topaz, its hardness is between 7 and 8. This method will help narrow down the mineral's hardness more precisely.


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).


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.


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 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.