When identifying a mineral, scientists will often rub it accross a porcelain plate to determine color of the powder left behind. This is to determine the minerals-
The correct answer is "streak." When identifying a mineral, scientists will sometimes rub it across a porcelain plate to observe the color of the powder left behind. This is because the color of a mineral's powder, or its streak, can sometimes be different from the color of the mineral itself. By rubbing the mineral across a plate, the softer mineral is scratched and leaves a streak of its powdered form behind. This can help scientists determine the true color of the mineral, which can vary due to impurities or other factors. It is important to note that streak is just one characteristic used in mineral identification; other properties such as color, luster, and density are also taken into consideration.
