A geologist is examining a new sample of rock. She is trying to categorize it based on its physical properties. Which of the following characteristics cannot be identified based on her basic visual and tactile assessment?

melting temperature

color

striations

texture

Color, striations and texture are all things that could be identified using basic visual and tactile assessment. So, the answer has to be A. melting temperature.

The answer would have to be Melting Temperature. The reason being that, though colour, texture and even striations are all the way outermost physical aspects, thus can be seen, recognized and felt almost instantly, however the Melting Temperature is different because you can only acquire the definite measurement of it through a test or a series of different tests.