The resistance of a mineral to abrasion is known as:

• A. density
• B. hardness
• C. cleavage
• D. luster

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the question is asking for the term that describes a mineral's resistance to abrasion, which means how well the mineral can withstand being scratched or worn down.
2. Recall the definitions of the given options: density refers to mass per unit volume, cleavage is how a mineral breaks along certain planes, and luster describes how a mineral reflects light.
3. Recognize that hardness is the property that measures a mineral's resistance to scratching or abrasion, often tested using the Mohs hardness scale.
4. Conclude that the correct term for resistance to abrasion is hardness, as it directly relates to how tough or scratch-resistant the mineral is.
5. Therefore, the answer to the question is hardness.