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?
a
Hardness
b
Luster
c
Density
d
Streak
1 answer
The correct answer is d. Streak. By rubbing the sample of gold or iron pyrite on a streak plate (a piece of unglazed porcelain), the miner can observe the color of the streak left behind. Real gold will leave a gold streak, while iron pyrite will leave a black/brown streak.
1 answer