what is the softest and hardest rock on the mohs scale
Mohs scale of mineral hardness. The mohs scale, named after Friedrich Mohs. Mohs scale of mineral hardness is named after the scientist, Friedrich Mohs, who invented a scale of hardness based on the ability of one mineral to scratch another. Rocks are made up of one or more minerals. According to the scale, Talc is the softest: it can be scratched by all other materials. Gypsum is harder: it can scratch talc but not calcite, which is even harder. The hardness of a mineral is mainly controlled by the strength of the bonding between the atoms and partly by the size of the atoms. It is a measure of the resistance of the mineral to scratching. The Mohs scale is for natural minerals. For manufactured products other measures of hardness are better.