need help with this question
what kinds of environmentals cause a crystal to form
i need to know if this is correct would the answer be
calcite and dolomite
I don't think so. Calcite and dolomite are crystals but that isn't an environmental answer. See these sites.
http://www.rensselaer.org/dept/chem-eng/Biotech-Environ/DOWNSTREAM/form.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral
To understand the environmental conditions that cause a crystal to form, we need to consider the process of crystallization. Crystallization occurs when the particles of a substance arrange themselves in a highly ordered, repeating pattern to form a solid crystal structure. The following environmental factors can influence crystal formation:
1. Temperature: Temperature plays a crucial role in crystallization. Most crystals form when a solution or melt cools down slowly. Lowering the temperature reduces the energy of the particles, allowing them to come closer and form an ordered structure.
2. Concentration: The concentration of solute in a solution affects crystal formation. When a solution becomes supersaturated, meaning it contains more dissolved solute than it can hold at a specific temperature, the excess solute starts to precipitate out and form crystals.
3. Pressure: Pressure can influence crystal formation, especially in minerals forming deep within the Earth's crust or under high-pressure conditions. Higher pressure can affect the arrangement of particles, leading to the formation of distinct crystal structures.
4. Solvent or Matrix: The solvent or matrix in which crystallization occurs determines the shape and size of crystals. For example, in geological processes, the specific properties of molten rock or magma influence the formation of different types of crystals.
5. Presence of impurities: Impurities can either facilitate or hinder crystal formation. In some cases, impurities can act as "seed crystals," providing a surface for the growing crystals to attach to. In other cases, impurities may disrupt the crystal lattice formation and inhibit crystal growth.
It's worth noting that the precise conditions required for crystal formation depend on the substance involved. Different compounds have unique temperature, concentration, and pressure requirements for crystallization.
So, to determine the specific environmental conditions for a particular crystal, it is essential to consider the properties of the substance and the process through which it forms.