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Any identifying characteristics help when you are dealing with an unknown mineral. You have to use all of the clues at your disposal to make a proper identification.

Streak and hardness are 2 important tests.

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15y ago

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What property is the least useful in identifying minerals?

Color is often the least useful property in identifying minerals because many minerals can occur in a variety of colors due to impurities in their chemical composition. Instead, properties such as hardness, luster, and cleavage are more reliable for mineral identification.


What test would you perform to distinguish hematite form copper how would you carry out this test?

A few things used to identify minerals are streak tests, hardness, cleavage, solubility, magnetic.Streak test: When you scrape a mineral on a streak plate it leaves behind powder of a certain color. Hematite leaves a red streak. I don't know what streak copper has.Hardness test: minerals have different hardness, their ability to be scratched or scratch. this can be determined by seeing if you can scratch a mineral with your finger nail or if the mineral will scratch a piece of glass. I don't know if this test will do much good though in determining copper from hematite.Cleavage: Cleavage in mineralogy refers to when you break a mineral, how it fractures. Does it fracture into cubes, rhombus shapes, conchoidal, etc.Solubility: copper is soluble in acids and forms green-blueish solutions, hematite is insoluble.Magnetic: hematite is sometimes slightly or strongly magnetic. copper is not magneticAfter you test your samples, look up in a book or manual to see which mineral(s) have matching properties.


What is one of the softest know minerals?

Talc is one of the softest known minerals, ranking as a 1 on the Mohs hardness scale. It is commonly used in powders and cosmetics.


Why is the hardness of a mineral important?

The hardness of a mineral is important because it helps in mineral identification. Minerals with different hardness values can be distinguished using the Mohs hardness scale. Hardness can also indicate the durability and wear resistance of a mineral in various applications.


What mineral is used to make salt?

there are three things to know what makes a up a rock 1 color 2 shape 3 hardness 4 streak 5 luster i hope that answers your question

Related Questions

Does the streak test work with all minerals?

No it does not work with all minerals. For if you did not know streak plates have a hardness of 7 (maybe a little lower or higher) on the Mohs scale. Some minerals are harder than 7 though. If they are harder they will not work with the streak test. some examples are Diamond, topaz, and corundum.


What property is the least useful in identifying minerals?

Color is often the least useful property in identifying minerals because many minerals can occur in a variety of colors due to impurities in their chemical composition. Instead, properties such as hardness, luster, and cleavage are more reliable for mineral identification.


What should you do if two rocks contain yellow minerals but you know they are different?

You can look at the streak, specific gravity, and if it have cleavage or not.


What does hardness of a mineral mean?

The hardness of a mineral is a measure of its resistance to scratching. It is quantified using the Mohs scale, which ranges from 1 (softest, such as talc) to 10 (hardest, such as diamond). Hardness can help identify minerals by testing how easily they can be scratched by other substances.


What properties of minerals do scientist use to identify minerals?

They have to identify their properties. That is how they identfiy the minerals. just kiddinq i dont know how can anyone help me!


Can any mineral be identified by the careful check of one physical characteristic?

No, not all minerals can be identified by a single physical characteristic. Many minerals have multiple characteristics such as color, streak, hardness, cleavage, and luster that need to be examined together to accurately identify them.


What should you do if two rocks contain yellow minerals but you know they are different minerals?

You should perform a scratch test or a streak test to help identify the different minerals. Additionally, you can use a hand lens to examine the crystals and mineral structure of each rock to further differentiate the minerals. It may also be helpful to consult a mineral identification guide or seek assistance from a professional geologist.


Why might it be important to know the hardness of different minerals?

Knowing the hardness of different minerals is important in identifying and categorizing minerals. The Mohs Scale of Hardness can help determine a mineral's resistance to scratching, which can aid in its identification. Understanding a mineral's hardness also has practical applications in industries such as construction and jewelry making.


What is the best way to identify a mineral?

Streak test because minerals can vary in color, size and shape but their streak color will always be the same for that specific mineral. Calcite comes in many shapes and colors, but its streak is always white.


Graphite is a mineral that does not leave a clear streak?

well i really don't know sorry. Here are some useful things close to that... 1. Mica shows clear cleavage. 2. Hardness is a measure of how easily a mineral can be scratched. ill tell you as soon as possible when i figure it out! Thank you


What test would you perform to distinguish hematite form copper how would you carry out this test?

A few things used to identify minerals are streak tests, hardness, cleavage, solubility, magnetic.Streak test: When you scrape a mineral on a streak plate it leaves behind powder of a certain color. Hematite leaves a red streak. I don't know what streak copper has.Hardness test: minerals have different hardness, their ability to be scratched or scratch. this can be determined by seeing if you can scratch a mineral with your finger nail or if the mineral will scratch a piece of glass. I don't know if this test will do much good though in determining copper from hematite.Cleavage: Cleavage in mineralogy refers to when you break a mineral, how it fractures. Does it fracture into cubes, rhombus shapes, conchoidal, etc.Solubility: copper is soluble in acids and forms green-blueish solutions, hematite is insoluble.Magnetic: hematite is sometimes slightly or strongly magnetic. copper is not magneticAfter you test your samples, look up in a book or manual to see which mineral(s) have matching properties.


What color is porcelain dishes?

Different minerals produce different colour powders (know as the mineral's 'streak') when scratched. For instance, hematite has a red streak, calcite has a white streak and graphite has a black streak. There is also variation within some minerals, depending on impurities. It should be noted that some minerals are too hard to be scratched by porcelain, and will instead powder the porcelain, producing a misleading white streak.