Which minerals that make up the Mohs scale are softer than a glass plate but harder than your fingernail?
A) feldspar, quartz, topaz, corundum, diamond
B) calcite, fluorite, apatite
C) beryl, garnet, tourmaline
D) gypsum and talc

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Mohs scale of mineral hardness ranks minerals based on their ability to scratch another mineral. A glass plate has a hardness of about 5.5. Your fingernail has a hardness of about 2.5. Therefore, minerals with a hardness between these values are calcite (3), fluorite (4), and apatite (5), which are all softer than glass but harder than a fingernail.

Which Minerals That Make Up the Mohs Scale Are Softer