carnallite

[kahr-nl-ahyt]

noun Mineralogy.

a white hydrous chloride of potassium and magnesium, KMgCl3⋅6H2O, used chiefly as a source of potassium and magnesium.

Origin of carnallite

1875–85; named after R. von Carnall (1804–74), German mining official; see -ite¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for carnallite

Historical Examples of carnallite

What weight of carnallite is necessary in the preparation of 500 g. of magnesium?
An Elementary Study of Chemistry
William McPherson
At the point K we have the highest temperature at which carnallite can exist with magnesium chloride in contact with solution.
The Phase Rule and Its Applications
Alexander Findlay
In the first place it may be again noted that at a temperature above 167.5 (point M) carnallite cannot exist.
The Phase Rule and Its Applications
Alexander Findlay
Fig. 113 is a diagrammatic sketch of the model for carnallite looked at sideways from above.
The Phase Rule and Its Applications
Alexander Findlay
Carnallite contains nearly a fourth of its weight of potassium chloride.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II
Arnold Cooley

British Dictionary definitions for carnallite

carnallite

noun

a white or sometimes coloured mineral consisting of a hydrated chloride of potassium and magnesium in orthorhombic crystalline form: a source of potassium and also used as a fertilizer. Formula: KCl.MgCl 2 .6H 2 O

Word Origin for carnallite

C19: named after Rudolf von Carnall (1804–74), German mining engineer; see -ite 1

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