Question

while researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: the mohs scale of mineral hardness is a ten - point scale that orders minerals by hardness based on their ability to scratch other minerals. minerals with larger numbers are harder than minerals with smaller numbers and can leave visible scratches on them. minerals with smaller numbers are softer than minerals with larger numbers and cannot leave visible scratches on them. the mineral calcite has a mohs scale number of 3. the mineral apatite has a mohs scale number of 5. the mineral quartz has a mohs scale number of 7. the student wants to make a generalization about minerals. which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal? a based on their mohs scale numbers, quartz (7) is harder than apatite (5), and apatite is harder than calcite (3). b any mineral with a mohs number of 7, like quartz, can scratch a mineral with a mohs number of 5, like apatite. c quartz can leave visible scratches on calcite, which is why quartz has a higher number than calcite on the mohs scale of mineral hardness. d the mohs scale can be used to order calcite, quartz, and apatite by their ability to scratch other minerals.

Explanation:

The Mohs scale of mineral hardness ranks minerals by their ability to scratch other minerals. Higher - numbered minerals on the Mohs scale can scratch lower - numbered ones. Option A correctly uses the given Mohs scale numbers of quartz (7), apatite (5), and calcite (3) to show the hardness relationships.

Answer:

A. Based on their Mohs scale numbers, quartz (7) is harder than apatite (5), and apatite is harder than calcite (3).