What is a common element that tends to produce a high specific gravity in minerals?.?

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What is a common element that tends to produce a high specific gravity in minerals?.?

Also, minerals that are rich in silicon and oxygen are part of what group?

2007-12-12 15:36:32 · 2 answers · asked by quriouschick 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology

2 answers

Silicates, SiO4 are not high density - Galena is. Basalt, (higher density) is the general term for the sea floor crust rocks and andesites for continental (lower density) rocks. Another heavier element is iron Fe. The most common minerals containing iron are magnetite Fe3O4, and hematite Fe2O3. There are others but these are the two major iron oxide minerals. If you need more just google high density minerals.

2007-12-12 16:36:53 · answer #1 · answered by okrife 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋

Lead, such as in the case of lead sulfide, Galena (PbS).

Silicon plus Oxygen = SiO4, or silicate.

2007-12-12 23:57:39 · answer #2 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋