|Question 25Verbal

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While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
• The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is a ten-point scale that orders minerals by hardness based on their ability to scratch other minerals.
• Minerals with larger numbers are harder than minerals with smaller numbers and can leave visible scratches on them.
• Minerals with smaller numbers are softer than minerals with larger numbers and cannot leave visible scratches on them.
• The mineral calcite has a Mohs scale number of 3.
• The mineral orthoclase has a Mohs scale number of 6.
• The mineral topaz has a Mohs scale number of 8.
The student wants to compare the hardness of the three minerals. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Based on their Mohs scale numbers, topaz (8) is harder than orthoclase (6), and orthoclase is harder than calcite (3).
A
Topaz can leave visible scratches on calcite, which is why topaz has a higher number than calcite on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.
B
A mineral with a Mohs number of 8, like topaz, is harder than one with a Mohs number of 6, like orthoclase.
C
The Mohs scale of mineral hardness can be used to order orthoclase, calcite, and topaz by their ability to scratch other minerals.
D