Hardness vs. density (for Elements)

[jmatejka]

I heard someone suggest a correlation between the two, my guess is NO direct correlation exists.

Pick an Element on the periodic table, hardness and density do not always correlate. I'm sure atomic lattace structure plays a larger role here.

Diamond is the hardest, but by no means high in density.

Any loose correlations between hardness and density? None that I know of...

Thanks, John

 

[Mapes]

Why not pick 20 elements at random and make a scatter plot?

 

[cragar]

ya those 2 definitely do not correlate gold and lead are very dense and very soft .
you cab bite into 24k gold and leave a tooth mark. And what about mercury.