What mineral is the hardest known substance in nature? a. muscovite b. silicate c. native gold d. diamond?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is d. diamond.
Diamond is the hardest known naturally occurring substance. This remarkable hardness comes from its unique atomic structure. Diamond is made up of carbon atoms, each of which is bonded to four other carbon atoms in a tetrahedral arrangement. This highly rigid, three-dimensional lattice structure is what gives diamond its exceptional strength. The covalent bonds between the carbon atoms are incredibly strong, which makes it resistant to scratching and breaking.
The hardness of a mineral is typically measured using the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which ranks minerals on a scale from 1 (the softest) to 10 (the hardest). Diamond is ranked as a 10 on the Mohs scale, which means it can scratch every other mineral, including corundum (which includes sapphires and rubies, ranked at 9 on the scale).
In contrast:
- Muscovite is a type of mica and has a hardness of about 2-2.5 on the Mohs scale, meaning it is much softer than diamond.
- Silicates refer to a broad group of minerals that include many different substances, with hardness varying widely. Some silicates can be hard, but none are as hard as diamond.
- Native gold is also much softer, with a hardness of 2.5-3 on the Mohs scale. Gold is malleable and ductile, making it easy to shape but far less resistant to scratching than diamond.
The extreme hardness of diamond makes it invaluable in industrial applications such as cutting, grinding, and drilling, in addition to its popularity in jewelry due to its brilliance and durability.
