Stibnite, also antimonite, massive, opaque mineral composed of antimony trisulfide and crystallizing in the orthorhombic system (see Crystal). Stibnite is striated vertically with soft, black streaks, has a brilliant, metallic luster, and ranges from lead gray to black. It has a hardness of 2 and a specific gravity of 4.52 to 4.62. The crystals are often curved or bent during formation and become dull on continued exposure to light. Stibnite is important mainly as the principal ore of antimony. Known since prehistoric times, stibnite was used, in the powdered form, in the civilizations of ancient Egypt and Asia Minor to darken the eyebrows and make the eyes appear larger. Mined extensively throughout the world, it is often found in quartz veins in granite and gneiss, and may occur as a replacement in limestone and shale. It is also found in deposits of such minerals as galena, cinnabar, gold, and barite. The principal deposits of stibnite occur in Hunan Province of China.
Matter is composed of atoms or groups of atoms called molecules. The arrangement of particles in a material depends on the physical state of the substance. In a solid, particles form a compact structure that resists flow. Particles in a liquid have more energy than those in a solid. They can flow past one another, but they remain close. Particles in a gas have the most energy. They move rapidly and are separated from one another by relatively large distances.
Popular Posts
-
. Many similarities exist between electric and magnetic phenomena. A magnet has two opposite poles, referred to as north and south. Opposit... -
. The relationship between current, voltage, and resistance is given by Ohm’s law. This law states that the amount of current passing throu...
-
Quantum Theory, in physics, description of the particles that make up matter and how they interact with each other and with energy. Quantum ...
-
. Periodic Table, table of the chemical elements arranged to illustrate patterns of recurring chemical and physical properties. Elements, su... -
Electromagnetic Radiation is the energy waves produced by the oscillation or acceleration of an electric charge. Electromagnetic waves have ...