What is a mineral and how does it differ from a rock?
Mohs Hardness Scale
F. Mohs, an Austrian Mineralogist, he developed hardness scale in 1822. Hardness and specific gravity are two of the major characteristics of rocks. Hardness of rock or mineral is is resistance to scratching.
Piece of chalk 1
Plaster of Paris 2
Fingernail 2.5
Gold 2.5-3.0
Penny 3.5
Iron Nail 4
Window Glass 5.5
Steel File 6.5
Ceramic tile 7.0
Aluminum oxide 9.0
A mineral is a naturally occurring, homogeneous solid with a definite chemical
composition and an ordered atomic arrangement that is formed by inorganic processes. It
differs from a rock in that a rock is a physically coherent aggregate of different mineral
grains which is not homogeneous, lacks a defined chemical composition and a defined
crystal structure.
F. Mohs, an Austrian Mineralogist, he developed hardness scale in 1822. Hardness and specific gravity are two of the major characteristics of rocks. Hardness of rock or mineral is is resistance to scratching.
Piece of chalk 1
Plaster of Paris 2
Fingernail 2.5
Gold 2.5-3.0
Penny 3.5
Iron Nail 4
Window Glass 5.5
Steel File 6.5
Ceramic tile 7.0
Aluminum oxide 9.0
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