phillipsite
Definition
Noun: A white or reddish crystalline mineral belonging to the zeolite group. It is a hydrous silicate composed of calcium, potassium, and aluminum.
Usage
"Phillipsite" is a technical term used primarily in geology, mineralogy, and related scientific fields. It refers to a specific type of mineral found in certain rock formations, often in volcanic environments.
Examples
- Geologists identified the cavity lining as phillipsite.
- The sample's composition was consistent with that of phillipsite.
- Phillipsite is commonly found in basaltic rocks.
Advanced Usage
- In Petrology: Phillipsite is studied as an authigenic mineral (formed in place) in sedimentary rocks and as a secondary mineral in altered volcanic rocks.
- In Industry: Due to its zeolitic properties, phillipsite can be involved in ion-exchange, catalysis, or molecular sieve applications, though it is less common than other zeolites like clinoptilolite.
Variants and Related Words
- Zeolite (n): The broader family of hydrated aluminosilicate minerals to which phillipsite belongs. Other members include chabazite, analcime, and stilbite.
- Hydrous Silicate (n): A general term for silicate minerals containing water molecules in their crystal structure.
Synonyms
There are no direct common-language synonyms. In technical contexts, it may be referred to descriptively as: * A calcium-potassium-aluminum zeolite
Related Phrases
- Zeolite group/phamily: The mineral family containing phillipsite.
- Authigenic mineral: A mineral that formed in its present location, a common mode of formation for phillipsite.
Noun
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a group of white or reddish crystalline minerals of the zeolite family consisting of a hydrous silicate of calcium and potassium and aluminum
