What can you conclude about the hardness of the talc mineral based on Liam's testing?

Explanation:

Liam tested the hardness of each mineral by scratching them with different materials. He first used his fingernail on the talc and pyrite. His fingernail left a mark on the talc, indicating that it is softer than his fingernail. On the other hand, his fingernail did not leave a mark on the pyrite, suggesting that pyrite is harder than his fingernail.

Next, Liam tried scratching both the talc and pyrite with a piece of quartz. The quartz was able to scratch both minerals, showing that they are softer than quartz. Since talc was scratched by quartz, it means that talc is softer than quartz. Therefore, based on Liam's testing, we can conclude that talc is softer than pyrite and harder than quartz.

It is important to note that mineral hardness is measured on the Mohs scale, which ranges from 1 (softest - talc) to 10 (hardest - diamond). The ability of one mineral to scratch another mineral is a key indicator of relative hardness.

By understanding the hardness of minerals, geologists can identify and differentiate between different types of rocks and minerals based on their scratch resistance. This information is crucial in various fields such as geology, mining, and gemology.