Here's how it works:
* Ten Minerals: The scale consists of ten minerals, each with a specific hardness.
* Scratch Test: To test a mineral's hardness, you use a known mineral from the scale and attempt to scratch it.
* Comparison: If the known mineral scratches the unknown mineral, the unknown mineral is softer. If the unknown mineral scratches the known mineral, it's harder.
The Ten Minerals on the Mohs Hardness Scale:
1. Talc (softest)
2. Gypsum
3. Calcite
4. Fluorite
5. Apatite
6. Orthoclase
7. Quartz
8. Topaz
9. Corundum
10. Diamond (hardest)
Example: If you can scratch a mineral with a fingernail, it's softer than 2.5 (fingernail hardness). If you can scratch a mineral with a copper penny, it's softer than 3.5 (penny hardness).
