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.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg