Brucite is a mineral that is named after the Scottish chemist, Robert Bruce. It has the chemical formula Mg(OH)2 and is usually found in metamorphic rocks. The spelling of the word "Brucite" is pronounced as [ˈbruːsaɪt], with the emphasis on the first syllable. The phonetic transcription of the word indicates that it starts with a voiced bilabial fricative sound [b], followed by a vowel sound [ruː]. The last syllable [saɪt] ends with a voiced alveolar fricative sound.
Brucite is a noun that refers to a mineral composed primarily of magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2). It is named after the American mineralogist Archibald Bruce who first described the mineral in 1824. Brucite has a color range that spans from colorless to white, gray, green, or blue-gray. It typically occurs in the form of botryoidal or fibrous masses, as well as in rare crystal formations. Its crystal system is trigonal, and its hardness ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively soft.
Brucite is commonly found in altered ultramafic rocks, as well as in serpentine deposits. It is often associated with minerals such as serpentine, talc, forsterite, and clinochlore. This mineral has a greasy or silky luster and displays a white streak when rubbed against a porcelain plate. It is not particularly transparent and tends to be translucent to opaque.
The name brucite is also used to describe the chemical compound magnesium hydroxide, commonly used in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, flame retardants, and as an ingredient in some manufacturing processes. In its industrial applications, brucite serves as a source of magnesium and contributes to alkalinity. It can be synthetically produced through the reaction of magnesium-containing substances with an alkaline solution.
Overall, brucite is a mineral mostly comprised of magnesium hydroxide that occurs in various forms and colors. It has both geological and industrial significance due to its associations and applications in different contexts.
A mineral, a native hydrate of magnesia.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "brucite" derives from its discoverer, the American mineralogist Archibald Bruce. The term was coined in his honor by the German mineralogist Karl Caesar von Leonhard in 1824.