albite
/'ælbait/
Definition
- Noun:
- A common white or colorless mineral: Albite is a specific type of feldspar, a group of rock-forming minerals. It is a tectosilicate and is the sodium-rich endmember of the plagioclase feldspar series.
- A rock-forming mineral: It is a major component in many igneous, metamorphic, and some sedimentary rocks, such as granite and gneiss.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The granite sample contained large crystals of albite.
- Albite is often found in association with other minerals like quartz and mica.
Advanced Usage
- In Petrology: Albite's composition (NaAlSi₃O₈) is crucial for classifying rocks. The ratio of albite to anorthite (the calcium-rich feldspar) defines the plagioclase series.
- The plagioclase in this rock is predominantly albite, indicating a sodium-rich magma source.
Variants and Related Words
- Plagioclase (n): The solid solution series of feldspar minerals between albite (sodium) and anorthite (calcium).
- Alkali Feldspar (n): A different feldspar group that includes albite's potassium-bearing counterparts like orthoclase and microcline.
Synonyms
- Sodium Feldspar: A direct synonym emphasizing its chemical composition.
- White Feldspar: A descriptive synonym based on its common color, though it can be colorless.
Related Phrases
- Albite Twin Law: A specific type of crystal twinning common in albite crystals.
- The thin section showed clear evidence of the albite twin law under the microscope.
Noun
-
a widely distributed feldspar that forms rocks
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