Mohs Hardness Scale PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND

Mohs Hardness Scale © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

What is the Difference Between Rocks and Minerals? q. Mineral - a solid, inorganic substance that occurs naturally q. Rock - a solid combination of more than one mineral formation http: //www. mods. org/exhibits/rocks. htm © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

Test your knowledge: What is the relationship between rocks and minerals? Draw a Venn diagram to show this relationship Answer: Rocks are made up of different kinds of minerals

What Must Minerals Have? • Occur naturally • Inorganic, not formed by living things • Chemical compositions that are definite http: //hvo. wr. usgs. gov/kilauea/summary/main. html • Change from mineral to mineral http: //www. fanpop. com/clubs/fossils/images/2221685 8/title/fossils-wallpaper © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

Properties of Minerals All of the properties listed below will be distinct in different minerals: • Color • Luster https: //retargeting. biz/blog/how-do-colors-affect-purchasing-decisions/ • Hardness http: //www. minerals. net/mineral_glossary/metallic_luster. aspx • Streak http: //www. aliexpress. com/brinell-hardness-test_reviews. html © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP) http: //www. suggestkeyword. com/b. Wlu. ZXJhb. CBzd. HJl. YWs/

Color • The easiest property to spot • Can be the least helpful • Most minerals come in many different colors http: //nature. berkeley. edu/classes/eps 2/wisc/Lect 7. html © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

Luster • How light is reflected from the surface of a mineral • Three main types of luster: metallic, submetallic, and nonmetallic • Several nonmetallic luster types http: //www. instructables. com/id/How-to-identify-a-Mineral/step 4/ © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

Different Kinds of Luster Metallic Submetallic http: //www. geology 4 today. com/mineral-lusters. html http: //earthphysicsteaching. homestead. com/Radioactive_Minerals_Page_2. html © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP) Nonmetallic http: //www. geology 4 today. com/mineral-lusters. html

Hardness • Ability to resist scratching • The Mohs Scale tests hardness in minerals © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

Streak • Tested with a streak plate • Determined by the color of the powder left on a streak plate when the mineral is scraped across it. © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

Test Your Knowledge Describe the color and luster of these minerals Mineral A http: //www. surreyminerals. com/specimen-detail. asp? sid=940 Mineral B Mineral C http: //flexiblelearning. auckland. ac. nz/rocks_minerals/pyrite. html https: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Quartz © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

Test Your Knowledge - Answer Mineral A Mineral Name: Sphalerite Luster: Submetallic Color: Dark brown to black Mineral B Mineral Name: Pyrite Luster: Metallic Color: Gold © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP) Mineral C Mineral Name: Quartz Luster: Nonmetallic Color: Colorless to opaque white

How We Use Minerals in Real Life Calcite – used in animal feed Copper- used in wires, cables, pipes, etc. Diamond – used in cutting tools © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

How might the properties of minerals determine their use in real life? • Utilize the benefits of minerals • Example: Diamonds are the hardest known substance, used to cut things Diamond coated drill bits

Mohs Hardness Scale - Origin • Developed in 1822 by Frederich Mohs • Measure of the resistance to scratching between minerals and relative hardness http: //www. snipview. com/q/Friedrich_Mohs © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

Mohs Hardness Scale - Origin • It is made up of ten minerals of reference • The scale goes from 1 -10 with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest http: //www. geologyin. com/2014/05/the-mohs-scale-of-mineral-hardness. html © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

Mohs Scale 1. Talc 6. Orthoclase 2. Gypsum 7. Quartz 3. Calcite 8. Topaz 4. Fluorite 9. Corundum 5. Apatite 10. Diamond © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

Relative Hardness of Other Items Ø 2. 5 - Fingernail Ø 3 - Copper Penny Ø 5 – Steel Nail Ø 5. 5 - Glass Ø 6. 5 - Steel File Ø 7. 5 – Streak Plate Test Your Knowledge: Could a fingernail scratch gypsum? Could a steel nail scratch quartz? © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP) Answer: Yes, a fingernail can scratch gypsum; no, a steel nail cannot scratch Quartz

Talc – Hardness of 1 on the Mohs Scale • Found in masses and foliated sheets • Commonly known for its low hardness and greasy feel • A variety of colors, and rarely colorless • Streak - white • Luster - nonmetallic • Used in industrial processes • Paper, paint, plastic, etc… http: //www. minerals. net/mineral/talc. aspx http: //www. mineralminers. com/html/talmins. stm © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

Gypsum – Hardness of 2 on the Mohs Scale • Found in very large deposits • Commonly known for its unique crystal habits, low hardness, and flexibility • Found in a variety of colors as well as colorless • Streak - white • Luster - nonmetallic • Used in manufacture of: • Cement, sheetrock, plaster, etc… http: //www. minerals. net/mineral/gypsum. aspx © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP) http: //geology. com/minerals/gypsum. shtml

Calcite – Hardness of 3 on the Mohs Scale • One of the most common minerals on Earth • A major component of Earth’s rocks (limestone & marble) • Commonly known for its cleavage and hardness • Found in many colors, colorless, multicolored, and banded • Streak - white • Luster - nonmetallic • Used as construction material, abrasive, soil treatment, etc… http: //www. minerals. net/mineral/calcite. aspx © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP) http: //geology. com/minerals/calcite. shtml

Fluorite – Hardness of 4 on the Mohs Scale • One of the most varied colored minerals • Pure Fluorite is colorless; color variations are caused by impurities • Commonly known for its perfect cleavage, low hardness, and crystal habits • Found in many colors, colorless, multicolored, and banded • Streak - white • Luster - nonmetallic • Used in the production of glasses and metals crystal-cure. com/flourite. html © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP) http: //www. dakotamatrix. com/products/5177/fluorite

Apatite – Hardness of 5 on the Mohs Scale • Named for the Greek word apate, which means "deceit", since Apatite is similar in appearance to many other minerals • Commonly known for its hardness and crystal form • Found in many colors, colorless, and sometimes multicolored • Streak - white • Luster - nonmetallic • Used in fertilizer and as gemstones http: //www. mineralminers. com/html/apaminfo. htm © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP) http: //geology. com/minerals/apatite. shtml

Orthoclase – Hardness of 6 on the Mohs Scale • One of three minerals that make up the Potassium Feldspar group; these minerals are almost identical • Commonly known for its crystal habits, cleavage, and hardness • Found in many colors • Streak - white • Luster – nonmetallic • Used in the manufacture of Glass, ceramics, and scouring powders http: //www. minerals. net/Image/1/100/Orthoclase. aspx © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP) http: //skywalker. cochise. edu/wellerr/mineral/orthoclase/

Quartz – Hardness of 7 on the Mohs Scale • One of the most well-known minerals on earth, an important component of many rocks • Commonly known for its hardness and crystal forms • Found in many colors, colorless, multicolored, and sometimes banded • Streak - white • Luster - nonmetallic • Used as gemstones, in glassmaking, abrasives, … http: //skywalker. cochise. edu/wellerr/mineral/quartz. L. htm http: //www. johnbetts-fineminerals. com/jhbnyc/mineralmuseum/picshow. php? id=41753 © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

Topaz – Hardness of 8 on the Mohs Scale • Occurs in large and beautifully shaped and colored crystals • Commonly known for great hardness and perfect cleavage • Found in many colors, colorless, and sometimes multicolored • Streak - colorless • Luster – nonmetallic • Used as gemstones http: //www. realgems. org/list_of_gemstones/topaz. html © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP) http: //beautifulnow. is/bnow/10 -gorgeous-topaz-treasures-now

Corundum – Hardness of 9 on the Mohs Scale • Best known for its gems, Ruby and Sapphire • Known for its extreme hardness and distinct crystal shape • Found in many colors, colorless, and occasionally multicolored or striped • Streak - white • Luster – nonmetallic • Used as gemstones and as abrasives for polishing glass and metal http: //geology. com/minerals/corundum. shtml © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP) http: //www. dakotamatrix. com/products/6183/corundum

Diamond – Hardness of 10 on the Mohs Scale • Hardest known substances and greatest conductors of heat • Known for their specific localities and excellent luster • Found in many colors as well as colorless • Streak - white • Luster - nonmetallic; rough stones can be greasy before cutting • Used as gemstones, and for cutting, grinding, drilling, and polishing http: //www. gtvcorp. com/uncut-diamonds. aspx © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

Making Hardness Comparisons • If rock A can scratch rock B, then rock A is harder than rock B • If Rock A cannot scratch Rock B, then Rock B is harder than Rock A • If neither of the rocks can scratch each other, they are equal in hardness © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

Test Your Knowledge • Rock A cannot scratch Rock B, but does scratch Rock C. Put the rocks in order from hardest to softest © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

Test Your Knowledge - Answer Hardest 1. Rock B 2. Rock A 3. Rock C Softest © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)

Work Cited • Mineralogical Society of Ameria. "Mohs Scale of Hardness. " Mohs Scale of Hardness. Mineralogical Society of America, 2015. Web. 24 Sept. 2015. • Harder, Vicki. "Mineral Properties. " Mineralogy 4 Kids. Mineralogical Society of America, 2015. Web. 24 Sept. 2015. • Friedman, Hershel. "Minerals. net. " The Mineral and Gemstone Kingdom: Home. Minerals. net, 2015. Web. 24 Sept. 2015. • Eifert, Dr. Tambra. "Mineral Lusters. " Geology for Today, 2013. Web. 24 Sept. 2015. • American Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. "Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness. " Mohs Scale of Hardness. American Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. , 2014. Web. 24 Sept. 2015. © PARTNERSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RURAL HEALTH AT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OFFICE OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS (ORIP)