Hardness in Earth Science

Hardness is a measure of a mineral's resistance to scratching or abrasion. It is an important physical property used in mineral identification. The Mohs scale is commonly used to measure the hardness of minerals, ranging from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest).

Mohs Scale of Hardness

The Mohs scale is a qualitative scale that ranks minerals based on their scratch resistance. It was developed by Friedrich Mohs in 1812 and is still widely used today. The scale is as follows:

1. Talc
2. Gypsum
3. Calcite
4. Fluorite
5. Apatite
6. Orthoclase Feldspar
7. Quartz
8. Topaz
9. Corundum
10. Diamond

Study Guide

To study hardness in Earth Science, it's important to understand the following key points:

1. Definition: Know what hardness is and why it is important in mineral identification.
2. Mohs Scale: Memorize the minerals on the Mohs scale in order of increasing hardness and be able to identify them based on their relative hardness.
3. Practical Application: Understand how hardness is used in everyday life, such as in the production of abrasives and construction materials.
4. Examples: Be able to provide examples of everyday objects that can be used to test the hardness of minerals, such as a fingernail (2.5), a penny (3.5), and a steel nail (5.5).

Understanding hardness is crucial in Earth Science, as it helps in mineral identification, construction, and various industrial applications.

[Hardness] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

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