The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is an ordinal scale based on the hardness of various minerals. The Mohs scale was created in 1812 by German geologist and mineralogist Friedrich Mohs and is one of the mostimportant tools in mineral identification.
The Mohs scale ranks minerals on a scale from 1 to 10 based on their hardness, with talc being the softest at 1, and diamond being the hardest at 10. A mineral’s hardness is determined by its ability to withstand scratching or to scratch another mineral. A mineral’s hardness can be tested by pressing against another mineral or a glass plate. If the mineral leaves a mark on the other mineral it is softer, and if it is left with a mark it is harder.
The Mohs scale is used by geologists and mineralogists to measure the hardness of an unknown mineral. It is an objective measure that is easy to understand and compare. It is also useful in determining what tools to use when working with minerals.
The major minerals included on the Mohs scale are talc (1), gypsum (2), calcite (3), fluorite (4), apatite (5), feldspar (6), quartz (7), topaz (8), corundum (9), and diamond (10). These minerals are relatively common and can be found in most geological specimens.
The Mohs scale has several limitations. The scale is limited to those minerals which have been tested, and it does not give any indication of the hardness of a mineral relative to any material other than itself. It also does not take into consideration factors such as pressure or temperature, which can affect the hardness of a material.
In addition, the Mohs scale does not provide a measure of abrasion resistance. Abrasion resistance is how easily a mineral can be scratched or worn down by other materials. Abrasion resistance is determined by the toughness, resilience, and grain size of the mineral.
Despite its limitations, the Mohs scale is still a useful tool in assessing the hardness of a mineral. It is important for mineralogists and geologists to remember the limitations of the Mohs scale when making comparisons or examining rocks. The Mohs scale is also used by gemologists and lapidarists to determine the hardness of gemstones and materials used in jewelry. Additionally, it is used by manufacturers of industrial and construction materials, to determine the wear-ability of their materials.
