What is Calcite?
What is Calcite?
Blog Article
Calcite is a common calcium carbonate mineral with the chemical formula CaCO₃. It is the main component of limestone and marble and has the following characteristics:
1. Physical properties
Color: usually colorless or white, but can also be gray, yellow, green, blue and other shades.
Luster: glassy luster.
Hardness: Mohs hardness is 3.
Cleavage: has complete rhombohedral cleavage.
Transparency: transparent to translucent.
2. Chemical properties
Composition: calcium carbonate, soluble in acid and produces bubbles.
Reaction: reacts violently with dilute hydrochloric acid, releasing carbon dioxide.
3. Formation and occurrence
Formation environment: commonly found in sedimentary rocks, metamorphic rocks and hydrothermal veins.
Associated minerals: often coexist with dolomite, quartz, fluorite, etc.
4. Uses
Industry: used to make cement, lime, filler, etc.
Architecture: as decorative stone.
Others: also used in the optical and jewelry industries.
5. Variations
Iceland spar: colorless and transparent calcite with strong birefringence.
Others: including marble, travertine, etc.
6. Identification characteristics
Hardness test: can be scratched with a knife.
Acid test: will bubble when exposed to dilute hydrochloric acid.
In summary, calcite is an important calcium carbonate mineral, widely used in industry and construction.
Article Title: What is Calcite?
Author:Xingaonai
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