carnallite

[kahr-nl-ahyt]

noun

Mineralogy.

1. a white hydrous chloride of potassium and magnesium, KMgCl 3 ⋅6H 2 O, used chiefly as a source of potassium and magnesium.

carnallite

/ ˈkɑːnəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. 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 History and Origins

Origin of carnallite¹

1875–85; named after R. von Carnall (1804–74), German mining official; -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnallite¹

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

Example Sentences

Very thin laminae of haematite, blood-red by transmitted light, occur as microscopic enclosures in certain minerals, such as carnallite and sun-stone, to which they impart colour and lustre.

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The most important deposits of potassium chloride are those at Stassfurt, Germany, where it occurs either in the crystalline condition as sylvine or combined with magnesium chloride as carnallite.

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It is now made by electrolysis, but instead of using as the electrolyte the melted anhydrous chloride, which is difficult to obtain, the natural mineral carnallite is used.

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What weight of carnallite is necessary in the preparation of 500 g. of magnesium?

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What weight of carnallite would be necessary in the preparation of 1 ton of potassium carbonate?

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