General Information:
Chemical Formula:
KNO3
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 101.10 gm)
Potassium 38.67 % K
Nitrogen 13.85 % N
Oxygen 47.47 % O
Empirical Formula:
K(NO3)
Environment:
Efflorescence on cavern walls.
Locality:
Limestone caves in Kentucky and Tennessee.
Name Origin:
Named derived from Herbraic neter, used in ancient times for alkaline salts extracted by water from vegetable ashes.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[001] Very Good, [010] Good
Color:
colorless, white, or gray.
Density:
2.1 - 2.11, Average = 2.1
Diaphaniety:
Transparent
Habits:
Encrustations - Forms crust-like aggregates on matrix., Massive - Granular - Common texture observed in granite and other igneous rock.,
Hardness:
2 - Gypsum
Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak:
white
More details...