answersLogoWhite

0

The Mohs scale of hardness arranges ten common minerals order of increasing hardness and each is assigned a number: 1, talc; 2, gypsum; 3, calcite; 4, fluorite; 5, apatite; 6, orthoclase (feldspar); 7, quartz; 8, topaz; 9, corundum; and 10, diamond. Hardness of minerals is defined as the resistance of the smooth surface of a mineral to scratching. A soft surface is scratched more easily than a hard surface; so a hard mineral, such as diamond, will scratch a soft mineral, such as graphite, and the hard mineral will not be scratched by the soft. Hardness of metals is determined by impressing a small ball or cone of a hard material into the surface to be tested and measuring the size of the indentation. Hard metals are indented less than soft metals. This is known as the Brinell test

User Avatar

Wiki User

17y ago

What else can I help you with?