chalcopyrite

Thân thiện

A geologist examines a piece of chalcopyrite in the field.

Definition

Noun: A naturally occurring, brassy yellow mineral consisting of copper, iron, and sulfur (chemical formula CuFeS₂). It is the most important and widespread ore of copper.

Usage and Examples

• As a mineral specimen:

  • The geologist identified the shiny, metallic rock as chalcopyrite.
  • The museum's collection features a large, beautiful crystal of chalcopyrite.

• As an economic ore:

  • The mine primarily extracts copper from chalcopyrite.
  • Processing chalcopyrite to obtain pure copper is a complex metallurgical process.

Advanced Usage

• In mineralogy, chalcopyrite is often distinguished from the similar-looking mineral pyrite (fool's gold) by its deeper, more brassy yellow color and its softer texture.
• The term is used in economic geology to classify copper deposits, such as "porphyry copper deposits rich in chalcopyrite."

Variants and Related Words

• Copper pyrites: An older, synonymous name for chalcopyrite.
• CuFeS₂: The chemical formula representing chalcopyrite.

Synonyms

• Copper iron sulfide: A descriptive synonym based on its chemical composition.
• Yellow copper ore: A common industrial term.

Notes on Meaning

Chalcopyrite has one primary meaning as a specific mineral and ore. It does not have idiomatic or phrasal verb uses, as it is a technical, scientific term.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a yellow copper ore (CuFeS2) made up of copper and iron sulfide

Từ đồng nghĩa

• copper pyrites