KAINITE Meaning and
Definition
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Kainite is a noun that refers to a mineral compound composed of various potassium, sodium, and magnesium sulfates. It is a relatively rare mineral and belongs to the group of evaporite minerals, which form through the evaporation of water in certain geological environments.
The chemical formula of kainite is typically written as KMg(SO4)Cl·3H2O. This composition reflects its major constituents, including potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sulfate (SO4), chloride (Cl), and water (H2O). Kainite often occurs in saline deposits, such as salt lakes or salt pans, as a result of the crystallization of sulfate-rich brines.
Physically, kainite crystals are typically translucent to transparent and exhibit a range of colors including colorless, white, pink, or blue. It has a vitreous or glassy luster, and is commonly found in fibrous or granular aggregates. Kainite has a relatively low hardness of around 2.5 on the Mohs scale, which means it can be easily scratched.
The name "kainite" is derived from the Greek word "kainos," meaning "new," due to its relatively recent discovery in the mid-19th century. It has various industrial applications, including as a source of potassium and magnesium in fertilizers. Additionally, kainite can serve as a raw material for the production of potassium sulfate, a widely used compound in the agricultural industry.
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A mineral earth consisting of potassium chloride and magnesium sulphate, of value as a fertilizer.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for KAINITE
- jainite
- mainite
- lainite
- oainite
- iainite
- kzinite
- ksinite
- kwinite
- kqinite
- kaunite
- kajnite
- kaknite
- kaonite
- ka9nite
- ka8nite
- kaibite
- kaimite
- kaijite
- kaihite
- kainute
Etymology of KAINITE
The word "kainite" derives from the German term "Kainit", which was first introduced by the German mineralogist Karl C. Leonhard in 1821. Leonhard named this mineral after Johann Gottfried Kainz, a Prussian mining official who discovered Kainite deposits in the Stassfurt salt mines in Germany. The suffix "-ite" is a common mineral-naming convention used to denote a mineral species. Hence, "Kainite" refers to the mineral discovered by Kainz.
Similar spelling words for KAINITE
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