Kalsiittinen

Kalsiittinen refers to anything related to calcite, a common mineral composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Calcite is the most stable form of calcium carbonate at standard temperature and pressure. It is a key component of many sedimentary rocks, most notably limestone and marble. Its crystalline structure is trigonal. Calcite is known for its perfect rhombohedral cleavage, meaning it breaks easily along specific planes, producing rhomb-shaped fragments.

The term kalsiittinen can be used to describe the composition of geological materials, such as kalsiittinen sediment or kalsiittinen rock, indicating the presence of calcite as a primary constituent. It can also describe the formation processes, like kalsiittinen precipitation, which occurs when calcium carbonate crystallizes out of a solution. Many shells of marine organisms, including mollusks and foraminifera, are composed of calcite. Over geological time, these shells can accumulate and form vast deposits of limestone.

Calcite exhibits a property called double refraction, where light passing through it is split into two rays, causing a visible doubling of images seen through a clear piece of calcite, also known as Iceland spar. This optical property has made calcite useful in various scientific instruments. Its hardness is 3 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively soft and easily scratched.