General Information:
Chemical Formula:
Na2SO4
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 142.04 gm)
Sodium 32.37 % Na
Sulfur 22.57 % S
Oxygen 45.06 % O
Empirical Formula:
Na2(SO4)
Environment:
Non-marine evaporite deposits in arid climates.
Locality:
Searles Lake, San Bernardino Co., California.
Name Origin:
Named after the French chemist, L. J. Thenard (1777-1826).
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[010] Perfect
Color:
white, grayish white, yellowish white, reddish white, or brownish white.
Density:
2.67 - 2.7, Average = 2.68
Diaphaniety:
Transparent
Habits:
Prismatic - Crystals Shaped like Slender Prisms (e.g. tourmaline)., Tabular - Form dimensions are thin in one direction., Encrustations - Forms crust-like aggregates on matrix.
Hardness:
2.5 - Finger Nail
Luminescence:
Fluorescent.
Luster:
Vitreous - Greasy
Streak:
white
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