mica

/'maikə/

Thân thiện

A student examines a thin sheet of mica in geology class.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A mineral: "mica" refers to any of a group of silicate minerals that form in flat, sheet-like crystals. These sheets can be easily split into very thin, flexible, and transparent layers. Mica is known for its excellent electrical insulation properties and heat resistance.

Usage

• Noun:
  • The rock contained shiny flakes of mica.
  • Mica is commonly used as an insulator in electrical equipment.

Advanced Usage

• "sheet mica": mica that has been split into thin, usable sheets.
  • Sheet mica is used in windows for high-temperature furnaces.
• "mica schist": a type of metamorphic rock containing abundant mica minerals.
  • The mountains were composed primarily of mica schist.

Variants and Related Words

• Muscovite (n): a common, colorless or pale variety of mica (potassium aluminum silicate hydroxide fluoride).
  • Muscovite is a primary source of sheet mica.
• Biotite (n): a dark, iron- and magnesium-rich variety of mica.
  • Biotite gives the granite a speckled, black appearance.
• Phlogopite (n): a magnesium-rich mica, often brown in color.
  • Phlogopite is valued for its thermal stability.

Synonyms

• Isinglass (archaic): a historical name for transparent mica, especially muscovite.
• Mineral insulator: a descriptive term highlighting one of mica's primary uses.

Related Phrases

• "book of mica": a stack of mica sheets that have naturally formed together, resembling the pages of a book.
  • The geologist showed us a perfect book of mica found in the quarry.

Học thuật

Noun

1. any of various minerals consisting of hydrous silicates of aluminum or potassium etc. that crystallize in forms that allow perfect cleavage into very thin leaves; used as dielectrics because of their resistance to electricity

Từ đồng nghĩa

• isinglass