GENERAL GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Explanation: It must be remembered that minerals of equal hardness scratch each other. The best example is that diamond cuts diamonds.

Detailed explanation-2: -Hardness is defined by how well a substance will resist scratching by another substance. For example, if mineral A scratches mineral B, and mineral B does not scratch mineral A, then mineral A is harder than mineral B. If mineral A and B both scratch each other, then their hardness is equal.

Detailed explanation-3: -The hardness of any mineral is defined by the Mohs scale. As per this scale, hardness of minerals is ranked in the scale of 1 to 10. Higher the rank, higher will be the hardness. Diamond is the hardest known natural mineral in earth according to Mohs scale.

Detailed explanation-4: -Hardness is how resistant a mineral is to scratching, not how easily it breaks. Hardness depends on the bonds within the mineral, so the stronger the bonds, the harder the mineral. Mineral hardness is measured on the Mohs scale of hardness, which compares the hardness of different minerals (Fig. 1.11).

Detailed explanation-5: -Hardness. The ability to resist being scratched-or hardness-is one of the most useful properties for identifying minerals. Luster. Luster is how a mineral reflects light. Color. One of the most obvious properties of a mineral is color. Streak. Specific Gravity.