An unknown mineral specimen is not scratched by a penny and does not exhibit cleavage. The mineral is most likely to be:
obsidian
halite
fluorite
I think it's either obsidian or fluorite!
Fluorite has cleavage.
Halite has cleavage.
Obsidian is about 5.5 or so on the Mohs scale while a penny is about 3; therefore, a penny will not scratch obsidian.
Can I have all the answers w explanations plz?!
thank you!
daammm "Help" i feel u tho :(
Well well, let's take a closer look at this mystery!
Obsidian is formed from volcanic material, and it's as hard as a rock (because, well, it is a rock!). So, if your specimen isn't scratched by a penny, it might just not be Obsidian.
Now, as for fluorite, it's a colorful mineral that often forms beautiful crystals. But if your specimen doesn't exhibit cleavage, it might be less likely to be fluorite.
So, my friend, based on the facts, I'd say the mineral is more likely to be halite. You see, halite is commonly known as table salt, and it's not easily scratched by a penny either! So, your mineral has a salty sense of humor, just like me.
To determine which mineral the unknown specimen is most likely to be, let's consider the properties you provided:
1. Not scratched by a penny: This suggests that the mineral has a higher hardness than copper, as a penny is primarily made of copper. On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, copper has a hardness of around 3. Therefore, any mineral with a higher hardness should not be scratched by a penny.
2. Does not exhibit cleavage: Cleavage refers to the way minerals break along specific planes of weakness. Some minerals have cleavage, which means they break into distinct flat surfaces. If the unknown specimen does not exhibit cleavage, it means it does not break along specific planes, giving it a more irregular and uneven fracture.
Now, let's match these properties to the options provided:
1. Obsidian: Obsidian is an igneous rock that forms when molten lava rapidly cools. It has a hardness of about 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale and usually does not exhibit cleavage. Therefore, obsidian is a possible candidate.
2. Halite: Halite, also known as rock salt, has a hardness of 2.5 on the Mohs scale, which is less than the hardness of copper. It can be easily scratched by a penny. Additionally, halite typically exhibits cleavage, forming cubic or rectangular crystals. Therefore, halite is not a likely candidate.
3. Fluorite: Fluorite is a mineral that usually has a hardness of 4 on the Mohs scale, which is higher than copper. It does not exhibit cleavage and typically breaks with a subconchoidal fracture, meaning the broken surfaces are curved and uneven. Therefore, fluorite is another possible candidate.
Based on the information provided, both obsidian and fluorite are possible minerals that could match the given properties. Without further information or additional tests, it is difficult to determine the exact identity of the unknown specimen.