Which property measures a mineral's resistance to abrasion?

Hardness measures a mineral's resistance to abrasion, which is a key property in determining how well a material holds up under wear and tear. This property is typically assessed using scales such as the Mohs hardness scale, where minerals are ranked according to their ability to scratch one another. For instance, a harder mineral can scratch a softer one, indicating its superior resistance to abrasion.

Hardness is fundamentally linked to the mineral's internal structure and bonding; minerals with strong atomic bonds tend to have higher hardness. This characteristic is crucial in various applications, including construction and manufacturing, where the durability of materials is often a deciding factor in their suitability for specific uses.

While durability, strength, and toughness are also significant properties, they pertain to different aspects of material performance. Durability often involves a mineral’s ability to withstand weathering or chemical attack. Strength refers to the maximum load a mineral can bear before failure, and toughness measures the ability to absorb energy and plastically deform without fracturing. Although all these properties contribute to a mineral's overall performance, hardness specifically targets the resistance to abrasion.