Chapter 2: Problem 15

You have an unknown mineral that can scratch glass but cannot scratch a porcelain streak plate. What is its approximate hardness?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The approximate hardness of the unknown mineral is around 6.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, as it can scratch glass (hardness 5.5) but not a porcelain streak plate (hardness 7).

Step by step solution

Mohs Hardness of Glass

Determine the Mohs hardness value for glass. Glass is typically around 5.5 on the Mohs scale.

Mohs Hardness of Porcelain Streak Plate

Determine the Mohs hardness value for a porcelain streak plate. A porcelain streak plate typically has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale.

Determine the Range for the Unknown Mineral's Hardness

The unknown mineral can scratch glass but not a porcelain streak plate. The mineral's hardness must be greater than the Mohs hardness value of glass (5.5) and less than the Mohs value of the porcelain streak plate (7).

Approximate Hardness of the Unknown Mineral

The approximate hardness of the unknown mineral is between 5.5 (harder than glass) and 7 (softer than porcelain streak plate). Given the limited information in the exercise, the best estimate for the hardness of the unknown mineral would be in the middle of this range. The approximate hardness of the unknown mineral is therefore around 6.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.

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You have an unknown mineral that can scratch glass but cannot scratch a porcelain streak plate. What is its approximate hardness?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Mohs Hardness of Glass

Mohs Hardness of Porcelain Streak Plate

Determine the Range for the Unknown Mineral's Hardness

Approximate Hardness of the Unknown Mineral

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