Mohs scale

[ mohz ]

noun

1. a scale of hardness used in mineralogy. Its degrees, in increasing hardness, are: talc 1; gypsum 2; calcite 3; fluorite 4; apatite 5; feldspar 6; quartz 7; topaz 8; sapphire 9; diamond 10. : MSH

Mohs scale

/ məʊz /

noun

1. a scale for expressing the hardness of solids by comparing them with ten standards ranging from talc, with a value of 1, to diamond, with a value of 10

Mohs scale

/ mōz /

1. A scale used to measure the relative hardness of a mineral by its resistance to scratching. From softest to hardest, the ten minerals of the Mohs scale are talc (measuring 1 on the scale), gypsum, calcite, fluorite, apatite, orthoclase, quartz, topaz, corundum, and diamond (measuring 10 on the scale).

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mohs scale¹

1875–80; named after F. Mohs (1773–1839), German mineralogist

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mohs scale¹

C19: named after Friedrich Mohs (1773–1839), German mineralogist