Epsomite Mineral Data

Epsomite Mineral Data +

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General Epsomite Information

Chemical Formula:

MgSO4·7(H2O)

Composition:

Molecular Weight = 246.48 gm

Magnesium 9.86 % Mg 16.35 % MgO

Hydrogen 5.73 % H 51.16 % H₂O

Sulfur 13.01 % S 32.48 % SO₃

Oxygen 71.40 % O

______ ______

100.00 % 100.00 % = TOTAL OXIDE

Empirical Formula:

Mg(SO₄)·7(H₂O)

Environment:

White efflorescence on cave walls, volcanic exhalations, or deposited by Mg sulfate spring waters.

IMA Status:

Valid Species (Pre-IMA) 1824

Locality:

Lake-bed deposits on Kruger Mountain, Oregon. Link to MinDat.org Location Data.

Name Origin:

The mineral has long been known from the deposits associated with the mineral waters at Epsom, Surrey, England.

Synonym:

Bitter Salt

Epsom Salts

ICSD 29384

PDF 36-419

Reichardite - massive

Epsomite Image

Images:

Epsomite

Comments: Pure white compact fibrous mass of epsomite.
Location: Calatayud, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain. Scale: See Photo.
© Jeff Weissman / Photographic Guide to Mineral Species

Epsomite Crystallography

Axial Ratios:

a:b:c =0.9891:1:0.5719

Cell Dimensions:

a = 11.86, b = 11.99, c = 6.858, Z = 4; V = 975.22 Den(Calc)= 1.68

Crystal System:

Orthorhombic - DisphenoidalH-M Symbol (2 2 2) Space Group: P 2₁2₁2₁

$Help on X Ray Diffraction:$ X Ray Diffraction:

By Intensity(I/I_o): 4.21(1), 2.677(0.25), 5.35(0.25),

Forms:

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Forms: [ 0 1 0] [ 1 0 1] [ 1 0 0]

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Crystal Structure:

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Baur W H , Acta Crystallographica , 17 (1964) p.1361-1369, On the crystal chemistry of salt hydrates. IV. The refinement of the crystal, structure of MgSO4*7H2O (epsomite), Note: Mg z-coordinate altered in order to reproduce Mg-O bond lengths, Locality: synthetic

Physical Properties of Epsomite

Cleavage:

[010] Perfect, [101] Distinct

Color:

Colorless, White, Yellowish white, Greenish white, Pinkish white.

Density:

1.67 - 1.68, Average = 1.67

Diaphaniety:

Transparent to translucent

Fracture:

Brittle - Generally displayed by glasses and most non-metallic minerals.

Habit:

Acicular - Occurs as needle-like crystals.

Habit:

Encrustations - Forms crust-like aggregates on matrix.

Habit:

Fibrous - Crystals made up of fibers.

Hardness:

2-2.5 - Gypsum-Finger Nail

Luminescence:

None.

Luster:

Vitreous (Glassy)

Magnetism:

Nonmagnetic

Streak:

white

Optical Properties of Epsomite

Gladstone-Dale:

CI meas= -0.016 (Superior) - where the CI = (1-KPDmeas/KC)
CI calc= -0.013 (Superior) - where the CI = (1-KPDcalc/KC)
KPDcalc= 0.2677,KPDmeas= 0.2685,KC= 0.2642

Optical Data:

Biaxial (-), a=1.433, b=1.455, g=1.461, bire=0.0280, 2V(Calc)=54, 2V(Meas)=52. Dispersion none.

Pleochroism (x):

none.

Pleochroism (y):

none.

Pleochroism (z):

none.

Calculated Properties of Epsomite

Electron Density:

r_electron=1.77 gm/cc
note: r_Epsomite=1.68 gm/cc.

Fermion Index

Fermion Index = 0.01118
Boson Index = 0.98882

Photoelectric:

PE_Epsomite= 1.14 barns/electron
U=PE_Epsomite x r_electron= 2.03 barns/cc.

Radioactivity:

GRapi = 0 (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units)

Epsomite is Not Radioactive

Epsomite Classification

Dana Class:

29.6.11.1 (29)Hydrated Acid and Sulfates

(29.6)where A XO4 · x(H2O)

(29.6.11)Dana Group

29.6.11.1 Epsomite MgSO4·7(H2O) P 2₁2₁2₁ 2 2 2

29.6.11.2 Goslarite ZnSO4·7(H2O) P 2₁2₁2₁ 2 2 2

29.6.11.3 Morenosite NiSO4·7(H2O) P 2₁2₁2₁ 2 2 2

Strunz Class:

VI/C.07-10 VI - Sulfates,Chromates,Molybdates and Tungstates

VI/C - Water-bearing sulfates without unfamiliar anions. cations of medium size

VI/C.07 - Epsomite - Goslarite series

VI/C.07-10 Epsomite MgSO4·7(H2O) P 2₁2₁2₁ 2 2 2

VI/C.07-20 Morenosite NiSO4·7(H2O) P 2₁2₁2₁ 2 2 2

VI/C.07-30 Goslarite ZnSO4·7(H2O) P 2₁2₁2₁ 2 2 2

Other Epsomite Information

References:

NAME( Mason68) PHYS. PROP.(Enc. of Minerals,2nd ed.,1990) OPTIC PROP.(Mason68)

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Epsomite

MgSO4·7(H2O)
Dana No: 29.6.11.1 Strunz No: VI/C.07-10
Locality:

Notes: