Epsomite

Epsomite

Epsomite is a hydrous magnesium sulfate mineral with formula MgSO4·7H2O or simply MgSO4. Epsomite forms as encrustations or efflorescences on limestone cavern walls and mine timbers and walls, as a volcanic fumaroles, and as rare beds in evaporite layers. It was first systematically described in 1806 for an occurrence near Epsom, Surrey, England, for which it was named.

Epsomite crystallizes in the orthorhombic system as rarely found acicular or fibrous crystals, the normal form is as massive encrustations. It is colorless to white with tints of yellow, green and pink. The Mohs hardness is 2 to 2.5 and it has a low specific gravity of 1.67.

Epsomite is the same as the household chemical, Epsom salt and is readily soluble in water. It absorbs water from the air and converts to hexahydrite with the loss of one water molecule and a switch to monoclinic structure.

References

* [http://webmineral.com/data/Epsomite.shtml Webmineral data]
* [http://www.mindat.org/min-1393.html Mindat]
* [http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/sulfates/epsomite/epsomite.htm Mineral galleries]


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  • Epsomite — Ep som*ite, n. Native sulphate of magnesia or Epsom salt …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • epsomite — s.f. [dal nome della città ingl. di Epsom]. (miner.) [minerale rombico, solfato eptaidrato di magnesio, usato come purgante] ▶◀ Ⓖ sale inglese …   Enciclopedia Italiana

  • epsomite — epsomitas statusas T sritis chemija apibrėžtis Mineralas. formulė Mg[SO₄]·7H₂O atitikmenys: angl. epsomite rus. эпсомит …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • epsomite — /ep seuh muyt /, n. Mineral. the natural form of Epsom salt, Mg2SO4·7H2O, found as a crust in caves and lake deposits. [1805 15; named after EPSOM; see ITE1] * * * ▪ mineral  a common sulfate mineral, hydrated magnesium sulfate (MgSO4·7H2O). Its… …   Universalium

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  • epsomite —    A cave mineral MgSO4●7H2O [11] …   Lexicon of Cave and Karst Terminology

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