Witherite definitions
| Word backwards | etirehtiw |
|---|---|
| Part of speech | Witherite is a noun. |
| Syllabic division | With-er-ite |
| Plural | The plural of witherite is witherites. |
| Total letters | 9 |
| Vogais (2) | i,e |
| Consonants (4) | w,t,h,r |
What is Witherite?
Witherite is a mineral composed of barium carbonate (BaCO3). It is a rare mineral that typically forms in low-temperature hydrothermal veins. Witherite is often found associated with minerals such as barite, galena, and sphalerite.
Physical Properties
Witherite is typically colorless, white, or light yellow in color. It has a hardness of 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale, making it a relatively soft mineral. Witherite has a specific gravity of around 4.3, making it heavier than average minerals.
Uses of Witherite
Witherite has limited commercial use but is primarily used as an ore of barium, which has various industrial applications. Barium compounds derived from witherite are used in the manufacturing of ceramics, glass, and rubber. Witherite is also used in the production of other barium chemicals.
Occurrences
Witherite is found in various locations around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and China. It is often associated with minerals like calcite, fluorite, and quartz. Witherite forms in cavities and fractures in rocks, often in conjunction with lead and zinc ores.
Interesting Facts
Witherite was first described in 1784 and was named after the British mineralogist William Withering. It is sometimes called "white barite" due to its resemblance to barite. Witherite is fluorescent under ultraviolet light, emitting a pale blue glow.
Witherite Examples
- The mineral witherite is a source of barium.
- Witherite crystals can be found in certain caves.
- Chemical analysis confirmed the presence of witherite in the sample.
- The witherite deposits are located in the southern region.
- Scientists are studying the properties of witherite for industrial applications.
- The witherite formation process takes millions of years.
- Miners extracted witherite ore from the ground.
- The witherite content in the soil affects plant growth.
- Witherite is used in the manufacturing of ceramics.
- Researchers discovered a new witherite locality in the mountains.