pyrrhotine

Thân thiện

A geologist examines a sample of pyrrhotine in the field.

Definition

Noun A brownish iron sulfide mineral with the chemical formula FeS, characterized by weak magnetic properties. It is a naturally occurring, non-stoichiometric compound of iron and sulfur, often found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Usage

Pyrrhotine is used as a specific term in geology and mineralogy to identify this particular mineral species. * The geologist identified the magnetic mineral in the sample as pyrrhotine. * Pyrrhotine is an important ore mineral for nickel when it occurs in pentlandite solid solutions.

Advanced Usage

• In Petrology: Pyrrhotine's presence can be an indicator of the redox conditions during rock formation.
  • The assemblage of pyrrhotine and magnetite suggests the rock formed under moderately reducing conditions.
• In Economic Geology: It is a common accessory mineral in many ore deposits and can be a source of sulfur.

Variants and Related Words

• Pyrrhotite: This is the more commonly used synonym for pyrrhotine. The terms are interchangeable, though "pyrrhotite" is often preferred in modern scientific literature.
• Magnetic Pyrite: An older, non-scientific name for pyrrhotine, referencing its weak magnetism and sulfide composition.

Synonyms

• Pyrrhotite
• Magnetic pyrite (archaic)

Different Meanings

The word "pyrrhotine" refers exclusively to the mineral. It does not have other common meanings in general English.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a brownish iron sulfide mineral (FeS) having weak magnetic properties

Từ đồng nghĩa

• pyrrhotite
• magnetic pyrites