FUNDAMENTALS OF

CHEMISTRY AND
MINERALOGY
Adopted from “Nickel Laterites; A Short Course On The Chemistry,
Mineralogy and Formation of Laterites 2002” by Waheed Ahmad.
 ROCKS

MINERAL

ELEMENTS

ELEKTRON ( - )

ATOM PROTON ( + )

NEUTRON
Valence
The valence of an atom is the capability of an atom
to combine in particular proportion with another atom.

32
Nucleus
18
18
8
8
2
Ion, Cation, Anion

 Atoms can readily gain or lose electrons and

become electrically charged in a negative or
positive sense.
 When Atoms are charged, they referred to as
Ions.
 Cation is a positively charged ion that has lost
one or more electrons. (Mostly metals)
 Anion is a negatively charged ion that has
gained one or more electrons. (Mostly non-
metals)
Ion Radii
Ions are measured in terms of their radius. The units
used are Angstrom. 1 oA = 10-7 mm or 10-10 m
Ionic radii play an important role during substitution.
Ions that are similarly sized more likely to replace
each other.

Fe3 Mg Ni Co Fe2

0.64 0.66 0.69 0.62 0.74

Very similar ionic sizes that allow easy substitution in

mafic minerals
Atomic Weight & Atomic Number

X : Symbol
Z X
A : Atomic Weight = the number of Proton + Neutron
Z : Atomic Number = the number of Proton in Nucleus
Case
100 gr Water (H2O); Atomic weight
(A) H = 1 and O = 16
Weight Oxygen?
O = 16 / (2.1 + 16) x 100 gr
= 16 / 18 x 100 gr
= 88.9 gr
 MINERALOGY
Mineral : Naturally
Anorganic
Solid Crystalline
Definite chemical composition

Classification
(based On Chemical Composition/Anion)
 Silicates (SiO4)
 Oxides (O)
 Hydroxides (OH)
 Carbonates (CO3)
 …..
Mineral Formulas:
- Cation are written first and followed by the anion or anionic group
- The total charge of cation and anion must balance
- Cations that replace each other are grouped together
Ex : (Mg, Fe)2 SiO4

Mineral Compositions :
Fixed compositions : NaCl (Halite)
Variable compositions : (Mg, Fe)2 SiO4 (Olivine)

Solid Solution / Ionic Replacement

- Have same ionic radii
- Have same crystal structure and symmetry
- The difference in valence should not be more than one
- The conditions are appropriate for solid solution to take place
Ex :
Fe replaces Mg in Olivines
Ni replaces Mg in Olivines
Chemical composition in terms of elements
Mg2SiO4 (Forsterite)
Percentage of Mg, Si, and O ?
Using the atomic weights we get:
(24.3 x 2) + 28 + (16 x 4) = 140.6
Mg = 48.6 / 140.6 = 34.6 %
Si = 28 / 140.6 = 19.9 %
O = 64 / 140.6 = 45.5 %
Chemical compositions in terms of oxides
Mg2SiO4 = 2MgO.SiO2
The proportion of various oxide :
2MgO = 2(24.3 + 16) = 80.6
SiO2 = 28 + (2 x 16) = 60
Total 140.6
MgO = 80.6 / 140.6 = 57.3 %
SiO2 = 60 / 140.6 = 42.7 %