Problem 15 Could you use crushed calcite to... [FREE SOLUTION]

Chapter 5: Problem 15

Could you use crushed calcite to grind and form facets on a diamond? Why or why not? (E)

Short Answer

Expert verified

No, you cannot use crushed calcite to grind and form facets on a diamond. The reason is that calcite has a hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale, while diamond has a hardness of 10. A substance must have equal or greater hardness to effectively scratch and grind another substance; calcite is much softer than diamond and therefore not suitable for this purpose. Instead, another diamond or a substance with comparable hardness should be used.

Step by step solution

1. Understand the Mohs Hardness Scale

Mohs hardness scale is a measure of the relative hardness of a mineral, which is based on the mineral's ability to scratch another mineral. The Mohs scale ranges from 1 to 10, with higher numbers indicating harder minerals. We will use this scale to compare the hardness of calcite and diamond.

2. Determine the hardness of calcite

Calcite is a mineral with a hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale. This means that it is relatively soft and can be easily scratched by substances with a higher hardness value.

3. Determine the hardness of diamond

Diamond is the hardest known natural substance and has a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale. This indicates that diamond is highly resistant to scratching and can only be scratched by another diamond or substances with similar hardness.

4. Compare hardness of calcite and diamond

As we know, calcite has a hardness of 3 while diamond has a hardness of 10. This significant difference in hardness means that calcite is much softer than diamond.

5. Conclusion

Since calcite is much softer than diamond, it cannot be used to grind and form facets on a diamond. A substance must have equal or greater hardness to effectively scratch and grind another substance; in this case, calcite is not hard enough to scratch or wear away diamond surfaces. Another material, such as another diamond or a substance with comparable hardness, would be required for this purpose.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Calcite Hardness

Calcite is a mineral that ranks 3 on the Mohs hardness scale. This relatively low score means that calcite is quite soft compared to many other minerals.
To appreciate how soft calcite truly is, consider that everyday substances like copper can scratch it.

The low hardness makes calcite easily identifiable and distinct from harder minerals.
It often appears in a variety of colors like white, pink, and grey, which can help with identification during mineral studies.

Knowing calcite's position on the scale helps geologists quickly eliminate it as a tool or material for cutting or grinding anything harder, like diamond.

Diamond Hardness

Diamonds are at the very top of the Mohs hardness scale with a perfect score of 10. This makes them the hardest known natural substance.
This exceptional hardness level is due to the strong carbon bond structure within diamonds.

Diamonds can scratch any other material, making them extremely practical for cutting and grinding operations.
Because of this hardness, diamonds are essential in industries that require precision equipment.

The unmatched hardness of diamonds ensures that no other mineral can leave a scratch on them, except another diamond.

Mineral Identification

Identifying minerals involves examining several key characteristics, such as color, streak, and hardness.
Hardness is one of the most common methods of mineral identification, as it provides concrete data through the scratch test.

By choosing a reference set of minerals, you can start to scratch test unknown samples to determine their hardness.
Once the hardness is known, connecting it to the Mohs scale helps assign a specific identity to the mineral.

Using this method, students and geologists alike can accurately pinpoint the identity of various minerals they encounter.

Scratch Test

The scratch test is a practical technique used to determine a mineral鈥檚 hardness. It involves scratching a mineral against another substance and observing the results.
If one mineral scratches another, it is harder, and vice versa.

This tool simplifies testing by providing a straightforward way to measure and compare hardness.
The test's results guide the identification process and confirm hardness-related hypotheses.

The scratch test is the cornerstone of using the Mohs scale, enabling users to easily recognize minerals and their properties.

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Could you use crushed calcite to grind and form facets on a diamond? Why or why not? (E)

Short Answer

Step by step solution

1. Understand the Mohs Hardness Scale

2. Determine the hardness of calcite

3. Determine the hardness of diamond

4. Compare hardness of calcite and diamond

5. Conclusion

Key Concepts

Calcite Hardness

Diamond Hardness

Mineral Identification

Scratch Test

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