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Hey Moh, What Do You Know? Trivia Quiz

The Mohs scale organizes minerals by hardness, from 1 to 10. This quiz contains a question about a mineral of each level. Good rock!

A multiple-choice quiz by Caseena. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Caseena

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
346,123

Updated
Apr 10 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
738

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which mineral, which sounds like a type of powder, is the softest on the Mohs scale at number 1? Hint

Jade

Opal

Axinite

Talc

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Question 2 of 10

2. Number 2 is represented by gypsum. Which organic gem with a hardness of 2 is black in color and smells like coal when burned? Hint

Obsidian

Jet

Moonstone

Emerald

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Question 3 of 10

3. Calcite, with a hardness of 3, is found in many places. In which of these is it NOT found? Hint

Wood

Marble

Limestone

Chalk

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Question 4 of 10

4. Though uncommon in jewelry, fluorite comes in a variety of colors (often in the same stone) and shines brilliantly. What is number 4 on the Mohs scale also called? Hint

Fluorspar

Feldspar

Malachite

Lapis Lazuli

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Question 5 of 10

5. Number 5 on Mohs scale is sometimes called "asparagus stone" in Spanish. What is it? Hint

Zircon

Beryl

Apatite

Coral

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Question 6 of 10

6. Number 6 is represented by orthoclase. Hematite, a naturally shiny black stone, also has a hardness of 6. What color is it when sliced thin or ground into powder? Hint

Black

Green

Yellow

Red

7. At number 7 is quartz, a very abundant mineral. At 7.5 is a blue or sea-green gemstone whose crystals can grow a meter long. One of the largest ones ever found weighed over 240 pounds! Which stone is this? Hint

Turquoise

Peridot

Aquamarine

Amethyst

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Question 8 of 10

8. The name of this mineral may come from the Sanskrit word "tapas," meaning "fire." Which gem represents number 8? Hint

Tourmaline

Tanzanite

Turquoise

Topaz

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Question 9 of 10

9. Number 9 on the Mohs scale is corundum; the two most well-known, and rare, are ruby and sapphire. However, another type of corundum is very common and may be found in your home. What is it? Hint

Nickel

Flint

Silicon

Emery

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Question 10 of 10

10. Number 10, the hardest natural mineral on Earth--diamond, which can only be shaped by another diamond. So, what will happen if you hit a diamond with a steel hammer? Hint

The hammer will break

A nuclear explosion

Nothing--they will bounce off each other, neither one leaving a mark

The diamond will shatter

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which mineral, which sounds like a type of powder, is the softest on the Mohs scale at number 1?

Answer: Talc

Talc feels like soap and makes talcum and facial powder. It is so soft you can scratch it with your fingernail, which has a hardness of around 2.5.

2. Number 2 is represented by gypsum. Which organic gem with a hardness of 2 is black in color and smells like coal when burned?

Answer: Jet

Jet is formed from water-soaked wood that fossilizes over time. It was often used as mourning jewelry in the past because of its color. Gold and silver also have a hardness of about 2.

3. Calcite, with a hardness of 3, is found in many places. In which of these is it NOT found?

Answer: Wood

However, petrified wood is a mineral in which the wood has been replaced by mineral, often agate, while retaining the shape of the wood. It has a hardness of 7.

You can also find calcite in oyster shells, stalactites, and stalagmites. Other gems with a hardness of 3 include pearl, azurite, and celestine.

4. Though uncommon in jewelry, fluorite comes in a variety of colors (often in the same stone) and shines brilliantly. What is number 4 on the Mohs scale also called?

Answer: Fluorspar

Fluorite is too soft to be used in many jewelry settings because it gets scratched easily. When it is used, it often appears as beads. It was used by ancient Egyptians and Chinese in carvings, and is found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

5. Number 5 on Mohs scale is sometimes called "asparagus stone" in Spanish. What is it?

Answer: Apatite

It is thus named because some apatites are yellow-green. While colorful and brilliant, apatite, like fluorite, is not often cut for jewelry because of its low hardness.

6. Number 6 is represented by orthoclase. Hematite, a naturally shiny black stone, also has a hardness of 6. What color is it when sliced thin or ground into powder?

Answer: Red

Ground into pigment, it was used as paint for schoolhouses and as war paint. Hematite is found with iron deposits and is used to polish other gemstones. Though it has a silvery and metallic sheen, it is not magnetic.

Answer: Aquamarine

Meaning "sea water," aquamarines are among the largest crystals, often found in hexagonal form and are a form of beryl. Many are heat treated to intensify the blue color, but too much heat will drain the gem of color.

8. The name of this mineral may come from the Sanskrit word "tapas," meaning "fire." Which gem represents number 8?

Answer: Topaz

The name may also come from the Greek word "topazos" which is the name of an island where peridots are found. Topazes come in many colors, such as blue, green, yellow, brown, pink, and colorless. They are often mistaken for other gemstones, like aquamarines, citrines, and even diamonds.

9. Number 9 on the Mohs scale is corundum; the two most well-known, and rare, are ruby and sapphire. However, another type of corundum is very common and may be found in your home. What is it?

Answer: Emery

Some emery is mixed with hematite, bringing it down to a hardness of 8. Emery is used in nail files. Think of how expensive those would be if ruby dust were used instead.

10. Number 10, the hardest natural mineral on Earth--diamond, which can only be shaped by another diamond. So, what will happen if you hit a diamond with a steel hammer?

Answer: The diamond will shatter

A diamond is several times harder than corundum and steel. But, this doesn't mean that a diamond is strong--hit it with a hammer and the diamond will shatter (so don't try it with that engagement ring!).

Source: Author Caseena

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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