Understanding Mohs Hardness Scale printable pdf download

Name _________________________

Understanding Mohs Hardness Scale

Friedrich Mohs was a German born geologist. In the early 1800s, while studying

minerals, he developed a hardness scale based on how easily minerals were scratched

by one another. Mohs hardness scale is based on the idea that whichever mineral is

harder will leave a scratch on the mineral that is softer. The hardness scale goes

from 1 to 10, with one being the softest and 10 being the hardest. There are no units

to the scale because it is based on relative hardness, or how hard or soft minerals

are when compared to one another.

You will now complete a puzzle based on relative heights. You will be given

descriptions of 10 people’s heights and determine their relative heights, from 1 to 10.

One will be the shortest person and 10 will be the tallest person. You will not be given

any actual heights, but will be able to use your chart to answer questions.

Here are your clues… (You may want to use scrap paper).

1. Ivan is taller than 5 people and shorter than 4.

2. Jeffrey is the shortest.

3. Debbie is the tallest girl.

4. Carlos is the tallest.

5. June, Francesca, and Juanita are all shorter than Tyrone.

6. Lee is shorter than Juanita

7. June is taller than Francesca.

Questions for when

8. Tyrone is taller than Ivan, but shorter than Debbie.

you’re done your chart.

9. Debbie is shorter than Sean

1. If Jennifer is shorter than Juanita, is she

10. Francesca is taller than Juanita.

taller or shorter than June?

1 (Shortest)

_________________

2. If Lin is shorter than Tyrone, but taller

than June, whose height is she closest to?

__________________

3. If Raj is taller than Sean, would he be

considered tall or short when compared to

this group? ____________

4. How can you answer questions about

heights when you don’t have any? What

10 (Tallest)

does the word ‘relative’ mean?

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Understanding Mohs Hardness Scale