METACINNABARITE Meaning and
Definition
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Metacinnabarite is a mineral that belongs to the sphalerite group and is classified as a sulfide mineral. It is derived from the chemical compound mercury sulfide (HgS), known as cinnabar, through a process of metamorphism. The mineral is commonly found in hydrothermal deposits, and its formation is associated with high-temperature mineralization processes.
Metacinnabarite possesses distinctive physical and chemical properties. It crystallizes in the trigonal system, forming rhombohedral or pseudocubic crystals. The color of metacinnabarite varies from dark gray to black, often with a metallic luster. Its streak is black, and its hardness ranges from 3 to 3.5 on the Mohs scale. The mineral exhibits an average density of approximately 7.9 grams per cubic centimeter.
The name "metacinnabarite" originates from the combination of "meta-" (meaning change or transformation) and "cinnabarite" (referring to cinnabar), indicating that it is a modified form of cinnabar. Metacinnabarite is considered an important ore of mercury, as it is one of the main mercury-bearing minerals along with cinnabar.
Due to its high mercury content, metacinnabarite is of significant interest to both scientific researchers and industrial applications. It has been studied for its behavior under various conditions, including during heating or exposure to light. Furthermore, its unique properties make metacinnabarite an important mineral in understanding the geological processes of mineral formation and the distribution of mercury in the Earth's crust.
Common Misspellings for METACINNABARITE
- netacinnabarite
- ketacinnabarite
- jetacinnabarite
- mwtacinnabarite
- mstacinnabarite
- mdtacinnabarite
- mrtacinnabarite
- m4tacinnabarite
- m3tacinnabarite
- meracinnabarite
- mefacinnabarite
- megacinnabarite
- meyacinnabarite
- me6acinnabarite
- me5acinnabarite
- metzcinnabarite
- metscinnabarite
- metwcinnabarite
- metqcinnabarite
- metaxinnabarite
Etymology of METACINNABARITE
The word "metacinnabarite" is derived from two main components: "meta" and "cinnabarite".
1. "Meta": This prefix is derived from the Greek word "meta", which means "after" or "beyond". In scientific terminology, "meta" is often used to indicate a transformation or change, suggesting a modified or altered state of a particular substance.
2. "Cinnabarite": This term refers to a specific mineral compound known as cinnabar, which is the primary ore of mercury. Cinnabarite is an archaic term used to describe the mineral cinnabar, and the suffix "-ite" is commonly added to mineral names to indicate a specific mineral species.
Therefore, combining these components, "metacinnabarite" signifies a modified or transformed state of the mineral cinnabar, possibly indicating a different composition or structure than its original form.
