Question

The students were given several minerals and a Mohs hardness scale. The students then investigated which minerals could scratch the others. The table shows the Mohs hardness scale, which is used to test the hardness of minerals.

Mineral Mohs Hardness
Talc 1
Gypsum 2
Calcite 3
Fluorite 4
Apatite 5
Feldspar 6
Quartz 7
Topaz 8
Corundum 9
Diamond 10
Using the scale, select the mineral that is described in each row.

Gypsum Fluorite Topaz Quartz
Can be scratched by Diamond but not Quartz




Can be scratched by Fluorite but not Talc




Can be scratched by Topaz but not Feldspar




Can be scratched by Feldspar but not Calcite




Notes

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Answer 1

Answers
1. Can be scratched by Diamond but not Quartz — Topaz (hardness 8; <10 so diamond scratches it, >7 so quartz does not).
2. Can be scratched by Fluorite but not Talc — Gypsum (hardness 2; <4 so fluorite scratches it, >1 so talc does not).
3. Can be scratched by Topaz but not Feldspar — Quartz (hardness 7; <8 so topaz scratches it, >6 so feldspar does not).
4. Can be scratched by Feldspar but not Calcite — Fluorite (hardness 4; <6 so feldspar scratches it, >3 so calcite does not).