Question
Iron Pyrite (Fools Gold) is Gold in Color but it's powder is actually black/brown, whereas real gold is both gold in color and powder. What test can a gold miner perform to tell if they have Gold verus Iron Pyrite, based on this information?
Pyrite cubes
a
Hardness
b
Luster
c
Density
d
Streak
Pyrite cubes
a
Hardness
b
Luster
c
Density
d
Streak
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To distinguish between Gold and Iron Pyrite (Fool's Gold), a gold miner can perform a **streak test**.
The streak test involves scratching the mineral on a piece of unglazed porcelain (known as a streak plate) to observe the color of the powder left behind.
- **Gold** will leave a yellow streak that matches its color.
- **Iron Pyrite** will leave a black or brown streak, indicating that it is not real gold.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
**d. Streak**
The streak test involves scratching the mineral on a piece of unglazed porcelain (known as a streak plate) to observe the color of the powder left behind.
- **Gold** will leave a yellow streak that matches its color.
- **Iron Pyrite** will leave a black or brown streak, indicating that it is not real gold.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
**d. Streak**