Mineralogy classified into density (often given as specific gravity); measures of mechanical cohesion (hardness, tenacity, cleavage, fracture, parting); macroscopic visual properties (luster, color, streak, luminescence, diaphaneity); magnetic and electric properties; radioactivity and solubility in hydrogen chloride (). "Hardness" is determined by comparison with other minerals. In the Mohs scale, a standard set of minerals are numbered in order of increasing hardness from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond). A harder mineral will scratch a softer, so an unknown mineral can be placed in this scale by which minerals it scratches and which scratch it. A few minerals such as calcite and kyanite
Tantalcarbide Tantalcarbide Tantalcarbide is a rare mineral of tantalum carbide with formula TaC. With a molecular weight of 192.96 g/mol, its primary constituents are tantalum (93.78%) and carbon (6.22%), and has an isometric crystal system. It generally exhibits a bronze or brown to yellow color. On the Mohs hardness scale it registers as a 6-7. Tantalcarbide is generally found in a granular state. It is extremely dense at 14.6 g/formula_1. Sub-conchoidal fracturing is exhibited. Specimens are extremely rare in nature. It is the only known mineral to exhibit the composition of TaC. Tantalum carbide powder is used for many real world