crossword clue soft mineral – All Crossword Answers
Stuck on "crossword clue soft mineral"? You've come to the right place! We've compiled all possible answers to help you complete your puzzle with ease. Below, you'll find solutions categorized by letter count, along with helpful explanations.
Solutions for "crossword clue soft mineral" by Letter Count
4 Letters
TALC: A very soft mineral, known for its soapy feel, and the softest mineral on the Mohs scale of hardness (1).
MICA: A group of sheet silicates, known for their perfect basal cleavage, making them very soft and easily split into thin flakes.
CLAY: A fine-grained natural rock or soil material that is plastic when wet, due to its soft, layered mineral composition.
6 Letters
GYPSUM: A soft sulfate mineral, often used in plaster and drywall, with a hardness of 2 on the Mohs scale.
More About "soft mineral"
Minerals are defined by their chemical composition and crystalline structure, and their hardness is a key physical property. The Mohs scale, developed by Friedrich Mohs in 1812, is a common reference for mineral hardness, ranging from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest). Soft minerals, like those often clued in crosswords, are typically at the lower end of this scale.
Talc is famously the softest mineral, a hydrous magnesium silicate that feels greasy or soapy to the touch. It's used extensively in various products, from talcum powder to ceramics. Gypsum, another common soft mineral, is a sulfate mineral often found in evaporite deposits and is a primary ingredient in plaster and drywall. Understanding these common soft minerals can be a great asset in solving many crossword puzzles, especially those related to geology or materials.
Mica and Clay also fit the description of "soft minerals" due to their unique crystalline structures. Mica minerals easily cleave into thin, flexible sheets, making them appear very soft. Clay minerals, on the other hand, are fine-grained and plastic when wet, a property attributed to their delicate, layered atomic structures.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Mohs Scale: When a clue hints at mineral hardness (like "soft mineral"), think about minerals that fall at the lower end of the Mohs scale, such as Talc (1) or Gypsum (2).
- Think Beyond the Obvious: Sometimes a "soft mineral" clue might refer to a category of minerals rather than a single one, like CLAY or MICA, which are groups of soft, fine-grained minerals.
- Check Letter Count First: Always match the provided letter count with your potential answers. This is often the quickest way to narrow down possibilities, especially when multiple answers fit the general description.
- Use Cross-References: Don't forget that other clues in the puzzle can often provide letters that help confirm or eliminate potential answers for a challenging clue like this one.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the softest mineral known?
The softest mineral known is Talc. It is rated as 1 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, meaning it can be scratched by a fingernail.
How is the softness or hardness of a mineral measured?
Mineral hardness is typically measured using the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This qualitative ordinal scale ranks minerals by their ability to scratch softer minerals and be scratched by harder minerals, ranging from 1 (Talc) to 10 (Diamond).
Are soft minerals useful?
Absolutely! Despite their softness, minerals like talc and gypsum are incredibly useful. Talc is used in cosmetics, paints, and as a lubricant. Gypsum is the primary component of plaster, drywall, and agricultural soil amendments.