orthopyrouxe

Orthopyroxene is a group of rock-forming inosilicate minerals with the general formula XY(SiO3)2, where X is calcium, sodium, iron, or magnesium, and Y is magnesium, iron, or a combination of both. The term "orthopyroxene" refers to the orthorhombic crystal system in which these minerals crystallize. The most common members of the orthopyroxene group are enstatite, hypersthene, and bronzite.

Enstatite, with the formula Mg2Si2O6, is the magnesium endmember of the series, while ferrosilite, with the formula Fe2Si2O6, is the iron endmember. Hypersthene and bronzite are intermediate members, with varying proportions of magnesium and iron.

Orthopyroxenes are typically dark green to black in color and have a hardness of 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. They are commonly found in igneous and metamorphic rocks, such as gabbro, diorite, and granulite. Orthopyroxenes are also found in some meteorites, including chondrites and achondrites.

The crystal structure of orthopyroxene consists of single chains of silica tetrahedra, which are linked by cations in the octahedral sites. This structure gives orthopyroxenes their characteristic prismatic or bladed crystals. Orthopyroxenes are often found in association with other minerals, such as olivine, clinopyroxene, and amphibole.

Orthopyroxenes have several important uses in industry and research. They are used as a source of magnesium and iron in the production of steel and other alloys. They are also used in the manufacture of refractory materials and as a component in some types of cement. In research, orthopyroxenes are used to study the behavior of minerals under high pressure and temperature conditions, as well as to understand the processes that occur during the formation and evolution of the Earth's crust.