Which is the likely identity of the white parts of this rock? Quartz Calcite Galena Sphalerite
1. Quartz
The mineral rock known as quartz is mostly composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2), sometimes referred to as quartz. It is a highly solid rock that is frequently used in buildings, as a decorative stone, and for jewelry manufacture.
Granite, sandstone, and shale are just a few of the various forms of rocks that include the ubiquitous mineral quartz. Whenever quartz predominates among a rock's minerals, the rock is referred to be quartzite. While quartzite is often white or grey, it may also come in pink, red, and green hues.
Other options are incorrect:
• Calcite: Calcium carbonate makes up the mineral calcite (CaCO3). It is a fairly prevalent mineral that is present in many different types of rocks, such as limestone, marble, and chalk. But, it may also be found in hues of yellow, orange, red, green, blue, and brown. Calcite is normally white or colorless. It rates a 3 on the Mohs scale for hardness, making it rather fragile and susceptible to knife nicks. Construction, agriculture, the production of glass, and cement are just a few of the sectors that employ calcite.
• Galena: Typical lead ore is the mineral lead sulfide, or galena (PbS). It commonly occurs in sedimentary rocks, hydrothermal veins, and as a mineral deposit in certain coal beds. Galena has a metallic shine and is a metallic grey hue. Its comparatively high density makes it a hefty mineral, while its Mohs hardness of 2.5 makes it a soft mineral. For thousands of years, people have utilized galena as a source of lead, which has been used in many different things including plumbing, munitions, and vehicle batteries.
• Sphalerite: Sphalerite, a zinc sulfide mineral (ZnS), is frequently discovered alongside galena. It may be found in various sedimentary rocks as well as hydrothermal veins. Sphalerite often has a resinous to adamantine sheen and is yellow, brown, or black in color. It is a reasonably dense mineral with a Mohs hardness of 3.5 to 4. Sphalerite is a significant zinc ore that is used in many different sectors, such as building, transportation, and electronics.
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