"Different minerals have different characteristics. Scientists classify minerals based
on their shape, color, and hardness."
Why might the author have mentioned shape, color, and hardness?
A
to give some examples of the different characteristics of minerals
B
to persuade readers to classify minerals in the same way that scientists do
to compare the characteristics of minerals to the characteristics of
scientists
to show the order in which scientists classify minerals

A . to give some examples of the different characteristics of minerals

Explanation:

Generally, when a claim is made, it needs to be backed up by evidence which will give it credence. This is what happened here.

First the writer stated that minerals had different characteristics. The author then presented evidence of these different characteristics by showing that minerals can be classified based on their shape, color, and hardness thereby giving credence to the statement that minerals do in fact have different characteristics.