Solved UPSC CDS/OTA Question
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Q · Mineralsmedium · 45s
Which mineral is the hardest natural substance?
TopicMinerals
Question Typemultiple choice
Difficultymedium
Marking+1 / −0.33
Test Duration30 min
Step-by-Step Solution
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Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring mineral with a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale. Composed of pure carbon atoms arranged in a cubic crystal lattice, diamond's exceptional hardness results from strong covalent bonds between carbon atoms. This property makes diamonds invaluable for industrial cutting tools, drill bits, and abrasives, while gem-quality diamonds are prized for jewelry due to their brilliance and durability.
Final Answer: Option B - Diamond