NaCaMgSi2O6

NaCaMgSi2O6 is the chemical formula for a mineral belonging to the pyroxene group. Specifically, it represents a member of the clinopyroxene solid solution series. This compound is a silicate mineral that incorporates sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) as key cations within its crystal structure, along with silicon (Si) and oxygen (O). The pyroxene structure is characterized by single chains of SiO4 tetrahedra. In NaCaMgSi2O6, the specific arrangement of these cations within the channels and sites of the pyroxene framework gives rise to its unique properties. It is often found in mafic and intermediate igneous rocks, where it forms through crystallization from magma. The presence and relative abundance of sodium, calcium, and magnesium can vary, leading to a continuous solid solution with other pyroxene end-members. This mineral is not as commonly recognized by a distinct mineral name as some other pyroxenes, but it is an important component in understanding the geochemical evolution of silicate rocks. Its physical properties, such as hardness, cleavage, and color, are typical of pyroxenes and depend on the precise chemical composition and crystallographic orientation.