A mineral is scratched by apatite but not by calcite. What could its hardness value be?

(1 point)
Responses

1
1

2
2

4
4

6
6

1 answer

The hardness of a mineral is measured using the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. On this scale, apatite has a hardness of 5 and calcite has a hardness of 3.

If a mineral can be scratched by apatite (hardness 5) but not by calcite (hardness 3), its hardness must be greater than 3 but less than or equal to 5.

The only possible hardness value from your options that fits this description is 4.

Therefore, the answer is:

4