Question

Choose all the answers that apply.

Jess scratches an unknown mineral with topaz, which has a Mohs hardness of 8. Topaz leaves a scratch on the unknown mineral. The unknown mineral _____.

is harder than topaz
is softer than topaz
is softer than diamond
is harder than diamond
has a Mohs hardness of 10

Answer 1

Answer: The unknown mineral is softer than topaz and diamond both.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mohs scale is scale used to measure the hardness of the minerals. the value of the scale is from 0 to 10. The mineral with higher value on scale will be able to scratch easily the mineral with lower value on the scale.

As according to the question,Topaz has Mohs hardness of 8 and was able to scratch the unknown mineral which implies that the unknown mineral is softer than the Topaz .And Topaz is softer than Diamond which means that unknown mineral is also softer than diamond.

Answer 2

It is softer than topaz and and it is softer than diamond (diamond has a Mohs hardness of 10, which is the highest value of the scale)