Rspândit

Rspândit is a fictional mineral used in mineralogy and materials science as an illustrative example for teaching and research simulations. It is described as a hydrated silicate with a layered structure that allows demonstration of solid-solution behavior, zoning patterns, and phase relationships in a controlled model system.

Name and origin: The term rspândit is a coined designation created for educational scenarios and does not correspond to any documented natural mineral. Its spelling without diacritics is common in English-language teaching materials, but no formal etymology exists beyond its use as a teaching placeholder.

Composition and structure: In the model, rspândit is treated as a hydrated silicate with variable cation substitution. A representative formula is given as (Ca, Mg, Fe)2Si4O12(OH)2, with possible substitutions extending to related cations. The crystal system is assumed to be monoclinic with layered stacking that supports intergrowth with neighboring silicates. Physical properties are described in ranges suitable for classroom discussion rather than a real mineral database.

Occurrence and formation: Within the fictional scenario, rspândit forms under metamorphic or metasomatic conditions in ultramafic or high-temperature low-pressure settings. Its paragenesis commonly includes quartz, olivine, and plagioclase, illustrating typical mineral associations used to teach phase relations and diffusion during crystallization.

Uses and significance: Rspândit serves as a teaching aid to explore concepts such as solid solutions, zoning, crystallization sequences, and diffusion in minerals. While not cataloged in mineral databases or found in nature, it provides a convenient, consistent example for modeling mineral behavior in educational exercises.

See also: Mineral, Silicate minerals, Solid solution, Metamorphism.