Mineralogy and crystallography UE Past Papers Questions.

Define the term solid solution as applied in mineralogy.

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Outline the composition of Olivine using the system  and name the two series of minerals that show solid solution.

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The structure of olivines is modelled as octahedral layers  M2 and M1 that are cross-linked with SiO4 tetrahedra. How will the cations from minerals that show solid solution prefer to occupy the M2 and M1 octahedral sites?

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What do the following minerals have in common ?

1. Coesite and Stishovite
2. Emerald, Turquoise and Amethyst
3. Rhodochrosite, Siderite and Azurite
4. Halite, Galena and Garnet

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The covalennt bond is the strongest of all known chemical bonds. List three 3 physical properties of associated wiith covalently bonded minerals and explain why they tend to have lower symmetry that ionic bonded minerals.

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UNSOLVED