2007-01-30 00:45:49 · 5 answers · asked by froigajudo 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Hardness is not a measured property of rocks. Minerals have a hardness measurement but because most rocks are composed of a number of minerals the hardness varies with the distribution of the minerals. The hardest mineral is diamond, but the rock mass in which it is emplaced is much softer.
The "hardest" common rock, which is almost monomineralic, (that's a real word) is likely to be quartzite, which is a metamorphic rock made up almost entirely of the mineral quartz. Quartz has a hardness of 7 on the Moh's Scale of Hardness, and will scratch glass. Quartzite is relatively common in mountainous areas and in areas where there were mountains (now eroded away) in other areas. It is used as a building material.
The "softest" rock must be a talc schist, another metamorphic rock, composed mainly of the mineral talc, and talc (the mineral) has a hardness of 1 on the Moh's Scale.
Hmmm...the smallest rock.....well, probably the smallest piece of material that, in the loosest of senses, could be called a rock would be two molecules of glacial ice (yes, glacial ice ought to be considered a rock--it has all the characteristics of a mineral).
2007-01-30 01:31:26 · answer #1 · answered by David A 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Smallest Rock
2017-01-09 09:33:20 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hardest rock- Tool
Smallest rock- The late Joe C. used to be with Kid Rock
softest rock-Kenny G
2007-01-30 00:55:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hardest: Diamond
Smallest: ?
Softest: Talc
2007-01-30 00:49:29 · answer #4 · answered by aparna_2oo4 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The hardest is the Diamond, don't know about smallest, though...
2007-01-30 00:54:23 · answer #5 · answered by Mermaid 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋