Ortopirokseeni

Ortopirokseeni, also known as orthopyroxene, is a group of rock-forming inosilicate minerals found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. It is characterized by its single chain of silica tetrahedra, which distinguishes it from other pyroxene minerals. Orthopyroxenes are typically dark-colored and have a hardness of 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale. They are commonly found in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks, as well as in metamorphic rocks such as gneisses and schists.

The general chemical formula for orthopyroxenes is XY(SiO3)2, where X is typically a divalent cation such as magnesium (Mg) or iron (Fe), and Y is a trivalent cation such as aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), or chromium (Cr). The most common orthopyroxene minerals are enstatite (MgSiO3) and hypersthene (Mg,Fe)SiO3.

Orthopyroxenes are important in petrology and geochemistry due to their sensitivity to pressure and temperature conditions during rock formation. They are also used in mineralogy for their diagnostic properties, such as their cleavage and optical properties. In industry, orthopyroxenes are used as a source of magnesium and iron, and in some cases, as gemstones.