Talc Facts for Kids

Talc is a very soft mineral. It is a type of clay. You can easily scratch it with your fingernail! Talc feels a bit greasy and looks like soap. It is often used to make talcum powder.

Crystals of talc

What is Talc?
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What is Talc?

Talc gets its name from the Arabic word talk. It is a mineral that is part of the silicate family. This means it contains silicon and oxygen. Talc is also known for being the softest mineral on Earth.

How Soft is Talc?

Talc is so soft that it is the first mineral on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This scale helps scientists measure how hard different minerals are. Because talc is a 1 on this scale, it means it is very easy to scratch. You can even scratch it with your fingernail!

What is Talc Made Of?

Talc is made up of a few different elements. It contains magnesium, silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Its chemical formula is Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂. This formula shows exactly how many atoms of each element are in talc.

Talc is very similar to another mineral called pyrophyllite. However, pyrophyllite is usually a little bit harder than talc.

How Does Talc Feel and Look?

When you touch talc, it often feels greasy or slippery. It can look a bit like soap, and it is usually translucent. This means you can see some light through it, but not clearly.

When talc is ground into a fine powder, it becomes the well-known substance called talcum powder. This powder is used for many things because it is so soft and smooth.

Where is Talc Found?

Talc is found in different types of rocks. One special rock that has a lot of talc is called soapstone. Soapstone is also known as steatite. Because it contains so much talc, soapstone is also very soft and easy to carve. People have used soapstone for sculptures and other items for thousands of years.