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Streak and hardness tests are considered poor for identifying gold because gold has a distinctive yellow color that does not change when scratched (streak test) or when subjected to hardness testing. Gold is also a relatively soft metal with a hardness of around 2.5-3 on the Mohs scale, meaning it can be easily scratched by many common objects, making hardness testing less reliable for gold identification.
What else can I help you with?
What are the two best property tests to see if you have real gold or fool's gold?
One way would be to perform a streak test by sliding the sample across an unglazed tile with a little bit of pressure. Gold will have a gold colored streak and pyrite will have a greenish black streak. After exposure to flame, pyrite will have a slight sulfur smell which gold will not. == == == ==
What is the difference in streak between gold and Fool's Gold?
Gold will have a gold metallic streak, and Fool's Gold (pyrite) will have a greenish black streak.
Does mica ever make a gold streak?
No, mica does not leave a gold streak. Mica typically leaves a white streak when rubbed against a streak plate.
What is the streak of platinum?
Yellow.
Why is streak more reliable than color when identifying a mineral?
The streak is the mineral in a powdered form from abrasion with the hard, slightly textured surface of an unglazed porcelain streak plate. The streak color may differ from the color observed in a specimen. Coloration of mineral specimens is sometimes due to impurities. In a powdered form, the impurities are not abundant enough to cause coloration in the streak, thus revealing the true color of the mineral. == ==
What are the two best property tests to see if you have real gold or fool's gold?
One way would be to perform a streak test by sliding the sample across an unglazed tile with a little bit of pressure. Gold will have a gold colored streak and pyrite will have a greenish black streak. After exposure to flame, pyrite will have a slight sulfur smell which gold will not. == == == ==
What do mineralogists do to identify minerals?
Hardness, luster, and scratch color help narrow down the possibilities . . . specific gravity and chemical analyses follow. As an example, gold and pyrite look about the same - both have a somewhat shiny luster. The streak color, though is black for pyrite and yellowish for gold. Hardness of pyrite is 6-something on the hardness scale, and gold is around 2.5, which is much softer.
What are the seven basic physical properties of minerals?
.A Ruby.A Gold Nugget.Coal.Brass.Obsidian.Basalt.Fluorite
What is the physical property that is used to find if its pyrite or gold?
I would say streak (Is that a physical property?). Gold has a yellow streak, pyrite a very distinguishable greenish-black to brownish-black. [A streak is obtained by scratching a mineral (or rock) on a streak plate (a white plate made of porcelain (floor tile-like), with a hardness of around 6.5 (Mohs scale)] If streak is not a physical property I would say hardness: gold has a hardness of 2.5, pyrite of around 6. I'm sure there are other usuable physical properties, as density for ex.
What test is used to identify gold from pyrite?
When dragged across a streak plate, gold will leave a yellow streak, pyrite will leave a greenish-black streak. It is one way of differentiating gold from pyrite.
What is a streak when it comes to talking about science?
'streak' is the color that a mineral will leave when rubbed on a piece of unglazed porcelain. It is used to help identify the mineral. For example, arsenopyrite looks very similar to gold, but has a dark grey or black streak. Gold has a yellow streak.
How is fools gold like and different than gold?
Pyrite and gold are similar in color, and both are relatively heavy when compared to other minerals and rock. Pyrite fractures when hit with a hammer. Gold, however, is malleable. Pyrite leaves a brownish-black streak on a streak plate. Gold leaves a gold-colored streak. Gold is nearly 4 times as heavy as pyrite. Gold is much softer than pyrite on the Mohs hardness scale.
Does hardness help identify a mineral?
Hardness alone is not a good way to identify a mineral, other properties such as streak color, cleavage, opacity, ect also need to be taken into consideration. There is no "quick way" to properly identify a mineral.
What is the difference in streak between gold and Fool's Gold?
Gold will have a gold metallic streak, and Fool's Gold (pyrite) will have a greenish black streak.
How streak is used to distinguish between gold and pyrite?
Gold will have a yellow metallic streak, pyrite will have a greenish-black streak.
Does mica ever make a gold streak?
No, mica does not leave a gold streak. Mica typically leaves a white streak when rubbed against a streak plate.
Does gold have streaks?
Yes, gold has a yellow streak when scratched on a streak plate.
