Question

Hardness is _____.

-the way a mineral breaks under pressure
-the least informative property of a mineral
-measured using the Mohs scale
-the way a mineral splits when stressed

Answer 1

Hardness is the physical property of mineral measured using the Mohs scale. Hardness is property of mineral to resist scratch. On Mohs scale minerals are classified according to their hardness. Hardest mineral on the scale is Diamond. While the softest mineral is Talc. Different test are done to test the hardness of minerals. These includes, test of scratch from finger nail, test of scratch from knife/blade and test of mineral by a piece of glass. On Mohs scale minerals are classified according to their hardness:

10. Diamond

9. Corundum

8. Topaz

7. Quartz

6. Orthoclase

5. Apatite

4. Fluorite

3. Calcite

2. Gypsum

1. Talc

Answer 2

Answer: measured using the Mohs scale

Explanation:

Hardness is defined as ability of the surface to undergo resist deformation.

The degree of hardness is determined by observing the comparative ease or difficulty which which one mineral is scratched by another.

Color is the least informative property of a mineral.

Mohs scale of hardness gives a rating of 1 to talc which is categorized as most soft and rating of 10 to diamond which is categorized as most hard.