Which mineral in typical continental crust has a Mohs hardness around 7?

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Multiple Choice

Which mineral in typical continental crust has a Mohs hardness around 7?

Explanation:
Hardness on the Mohs scale tells you how resistant a mineral is to scratching. In typical continental crust, quartz stands out because its hardness is about 7, making it more scratch-resistant than the other common minerals listed. Feldspar, the next most common, is around 6, so quartz can scratch it, but feldspar would not scratch quartz. Calcite is softer, around 3, and mica is even softer, roughly 2.5–3. This combination means quartz best fits the description of having a Mohs hardness around 7.

Hardness on the Mohs scale tells you how resistant a mineral is to scratching. In typical continental crust, quartz stands out because its hardness is about 7, making it more scratch-resistant than the other common minerals listed. Feldspar, the next most common, is around 6, so quartz can scratch it, but feldspar would not scratch quartz. Calcite is softer, around 3, and mica is even softer, roughly 2.5–3. This combination means quartz best fits the description of having a Mohs hardness around 7.

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