Question

What promotes greater hardness in minerals? A smaller atoms and stronger bonds B larger atoms and weaker bonds C larger atoms and stronger bonds D smaller atoms and weaker bonds

Answer 1

Smaller atoms and stronger bonds

Answer 2

Option A. Smaller atoms and stronger bonds.

Smaller the size of the atoms, less will be the distance between positive charge nucleus of one atom and electrons (negative charge) of other atom. This results in strong interaction between them.

Also, stronger bonds are difficult to break, making the minerals harder. Thus, small atoms and strong bonds in minerals makes then harder than the minerals with weak bonds or larger atoms.