Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Difference Between Calcite and Dolomite

Difference Between Calcite and Dolomite

November 10, 2011 Posted by Dunee

Calcite vs Dolomite
 

Dolomite and calcite are minerals containing calcium carbonate. Both of these are hard to distinguish from each other except for few properties.

Calcite

Calcite is a mineral, which contains calcium carbonate (CaCO3). This is an abundant mineral on the earth surface. Calcite can form rocks, and they may grow up to large sizes. They are found in all three types of rocks, which are sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Different varieties of calcites can be formed due to variations in the distribution and environments. They can exist as colorless crystals, or sometimes can have white, pink, yellow or brownish colors. The crystals can be transparent, translucent or opaque, depending on the substances it has incorporated within when forming. The amount of calcium carbonate containing in the rock can vary. Sometimes, there are calcite minerals, which contain about 99% calcium carbonate. Calcite has unique optical properties. When a ray of light goes through a calcite mineral, it reflects the light double. Furthermore, calcite has fluorescence, phosphorescence, thermo luminescence and triboluminescence properties. Depending on the calcite variety, the extent of showing these properties may vary. Calcites react with acids and produce carbon dioxide gas. Especially in water, it becomes less soluble as the temperature increases, which allow calcite to precipitate and form more massive crystals.  Calcites are relatively less hard, so they can be scratched by a fingernail. Calcite can be mainly found in Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey, Tennessee, Kansas in USA and Germany, Brazil, Mexico, England, Iceland, many African countries etc.

Dolomite

Dolomite is a mineral which contains calcium magnesium carbonate CaMg(CO3)2 mainly. Dolomites can grow up to large sizes forming mineral beds, and this is a sedimentary rock forming mineral. Dolomite is widely distributed all over the world and commonly found in sedimentary rocks. Dolomite can react with acids (but very weakly). When hot acids are used or when powdered dolomite is used, the reaction can be fast. Dolomite has a pearly luster, which is unique. There can be several colors in dolomites, but mainly there are colorless, pink and white forms. Crystals can be transparent or translucent. Dolomite crystals have a unique crystal habit with sharp rhombohedrons or some with curved faces. Dolomite has a perfect cleavage from three directions as calcites. Based on a Mohs’ scale, the hardness of dolomite is around 3.5-4.  Dolomite is abundant in Canada, Switzerland, Mexico, Spain and in Midwestern quarries of USA. Dolomite is added to agricultural soils, to increase the magnesium content and lower the acidity. It is also used as an ornamental stone and a concrete aggregate.

 

What is the difference between Calcite and Dolomite?

• Calcite mainly contains calcium carbonate and dolomite contains calcium magnesium carbonate. Dolomite differs from calcite because of the presence of magnesium.

• Calcite reacts quickly with acids and produce carbon dioxide bubbles. But dolomite is weakly reacts with acids producing bubbles very slowly. When hot acids or powdered dolomite is used they may react quickly.

• Dolomite is slightly harder and denser than calcite.

• Calcites form scalenohedrons but dolomites never form scalenohedrons. Dolomite crystal habit represents rhombohedrons or curved faces.

 

Related posts:

Difference Between Calcium Carbonate and Calcium CitrateDifference Between Calcium Carbonate and Calcium Citrate Difference Between Limestone and Sandstone Difference Between Ferrous Metals and Non Ferrous Metals Difference Between Phosphorus and Phosphate Difference Between Element and MoleculeDifference Between Element and Molecule

Filed Under: Chemistry Tagged With: calcite, calcite vs, Calcium Carbonate, calcium magnesium carbonate, Dolomite, dolomite vs, rhombohedrons, scalenohedrons

About the Author: Dunee

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Acyclic and Cyclic Organic Compounds

Difference Between Acyclic and Cyclic Organic Compounds

Difference Between Sodium Chloride and Sodium Iodide

Difference Between Orca and Dolphin

Difference Between Orca and Dolphin

Difference Between Baby Boomers and Millennials

Difference Between Baby Boomers and Millennials

Difference Between UTR and Intron

Difference Between UTR and Intron

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Lactam and Lactim
  • What is the Difference Between Carbamazepine and Oxcarbazepine
  • What is the Difference Between HTLV 1 and 2
  • What is the Difference Between Bohr Effect and Haldane Effect
  • What is the Difference Between Oxybenzone and Avobenzone
  • What is the Difference Between Flakiness Index and Elongation Index
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.