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Orthoclase feldspar typically exhibits two cleavage planes at right angles to each other, forming blocky or prismatic shapes. Plagioclase feldspar, on the other hand, shows two cleavages at nearly 90 degrees but often also has a third cleavage at a slightly different angle, resulting in more varied forms.
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What physical properties distinguish plagioclase feldspars from orthoclase feldspars?
One physical property that distinguishes plagioclase feldspars from orthoclase feldspars is their cleavage. Plagioclase feldspars typically exhibit good cleavage in two directions at right angles, while orthoclase feldspars show perfect cleavage in one direction. Another distinguishing feature is their color. Plagioclase feldspars are usually white to gray, while orthoclase feldspars can be white, pink, or other colors.
Is orthoclase a rock or a mineral?
Orthoclase feldspar is a tectosilicate mineral which is most commonly found in igneous rock. It has a Mohs hardness of 6 and has two cleavage planes which occur at right angles to each other. It is the potassium endmember of the feldspar group of minerals and is also referred to as alkali feldspar or K-spar. Orthoclase will appear in colors from white to deep pink, but has a white streak.
How do you test cleavage on a mineral?
To test cleavage in a mineral, you can use a sharp tool, like a knife or a fingernail, to apply pressure on the mineral's surface along its natural planes of weakness. When the mineral splits, observe whether it breaks smoothly along these planes, indicating cleavage. The quality of the cleavage can be assessed by examining the flatness and angularity of the resulting surfaces, as well as how easily the mineral splits. Different minerals exhibit different cleavage patterns, which can help in their identification.
Why cleavage of the crystals is itself anisotropic behavior?
Cleavage of crystals is anisotropic because the structure of crystals consists of planes of atoms where the bonds are weaker or stronger in different directions. When a crystal cleaves, it breaks along planes of weaker bonds, resulting in different cleavage planes having different strengths. This anisotropy arises from the crystalline structure and the arrangement of atoms in the crystal lattice.
What are three different characteristics of cleavage and fracture?
Cleavage refers to the tendency of a mineral to break along specific planes of weakness, producing smooth, flat surfaces. Fracture, on the other hand, describes the way a mineral breaks when no cleavage planes are present, resulting in rough or irregular surfaces. Cleavage is often described by the number and orientation of cleavage planes, such as perfect, good, poor, or none. Fracture can be categorized as conchoidal (smooth, curved surfaces), uneven, splintery, or hackly (jagged and sharp). Cleavage is a diagnostic property used to identify minerals, as different minerals exhibit distinct cleavage patterns. Fracture can provide additional information about a mineral's internal structure, as certain types of fracture may indicate specific crystal habits or growth conditions.
What physical properties distinguish plagioclase feldspars from orthoclase feldspars?
One physical property that distinguishes plagioclase feldspars from orthoclase feldspars is their cleavage. Plagioclase feldspars typically exhibit good cleavage in two directions at right angles, while orthoclase feldspars show perfect cleavage in one direction. Another distinguishing feature is their color. Plagioclase feldspars are usually white to gray, while orthoclase feldspars can be white, pink, or other colors.
What is the difference between plagioclase and orthoclase rock?
They are identical (hardness, streak, ect) barring the chemical composition however plagioclase has striations on the cleavage surface.
Which mineral has a hardness of 6 and has cleavage?
Orthoclase Feldspar.
How can someone identify quartz in an igneous rock from plagioclase?
quartz will have conchidal fracture...plagioclase will have 2 sets of cleavage near 90 degrees and some striations quartz will have conchidal fracture...plagioclase will have 2 sets of cleavage near 90 degrees and some striations
What is Feldspars cleavage?
2 at 90 degreesHere is a discussion on feldspar.It says it has uneven fracture and cleavage in 2 directions.http://www.theimage.com/mineral/feldspar/index.htm
Is orthoclase a rock or a mineral?
Orthoclase feldspar is a tectosilicate mineral which is most commonly found in igneous rock. It has a Mohs hardness of 6 and has two cleavage planes which occur at right angles to each other. It is the potassium endmember of the feldspar group of minerals and is also referred to as alkali feldspar or K-spar. Orthoclase will appear in colors from white to deep pink, but has a white streak.
Tendency to break along smooth flat surfaces?
Many minerals have "cleavage" that causes them to split on flat cleavage planes. Such minerals include micas (muscovite, biotite. phlogopite), calcite, gypsum, and feldspars. Cleavage is the result of the minerals' crystal structure that has weaker chemical bonds aligned in planes.
How does the cleavage of feldspar differ from the cleavage of mica?
Biotite (black mica) and muscovite (white mica) are both minerals that have perfect basal cleavage--one direction. It cleaves into thin sheets. Feldspars (albite, oligoclase, andesine, labradorite, bytownite, anorthite) have good cleavage in two directions at nearly right angles, poor in a third direction.
Is the cleavage for a mineral is always the same for that mineral?
Yes, all different samples of that mineral will have the same cleavage.
Is the cleavage for a mineral always the same for that mineral?
Yes, all different samples of that mineral will have the same cleavage.
One way to test a mineral is to break it and see how many directions of what it has?
cleavage....
Most minerals do not split apart evenly instead they have a characteristic type of?
Cleavage. Cleavage refers to the tendency of a mineral to break along planes of weakness, resulting in smooth, flat surfaces. The quality of cleavage can vary among different minerals, with some exhibiting perfect cleavage and others displaying no cleavage at all.
