is stalactite a crystal????

[muaan]

is stalactite a crystal????pls tell me this today because i got a science assingment due tomowow

[Solaris]

Yes it is.

[muaan]

hmmm.but my tudor teacher told me its not...he said it contained crystals

[Solaris]

Then maybe asking your tutor or your classmates would help. If nothing works then google is your friend.

[kronos_fir18]

Stalactites are formed by the deposition of calcium carbonate and other minerals, which is precipitated from mineralized water solutions. Limestone is calcium carbonate rock which is dissolved by water that contains carbon dioxide, forming a calcium hydrogencarbonate solution. The chemical formula for this reaction is:[1]

CaCO3(s) + H2O(l) + CO2(aq) → Ca(HCO3)2(aq)

This solution travels through the rock until it reaches an edge and if this is on the roof of a cave it will drip down. When the solution comes into contact with air the chemical reaction that created it is reversed and particles of calcium carbonate are deposited. The reversed reaction is:[1]

Ca(HCO3)2(aq) → CaCO3(s) + H2O(l) + CO2(aq)

An average growth rate is 0.13 mm (0.005 inches) a year. The quickest growing stalactites are those formed by fast-flowing water rich in calcium carbonate and carbon dioxide, these can grow at 3 mm (0.12 inches) per year.[2]

Every stalactite begins with a single mineral-laden drop of water. When the drop falls, it leaves behind the thinnest ring of calcite. Each subsequent drop that forms and falls deposits another calcite ring. Eventually, these rings form a very narrow (0.5 mm), hollow tube commonly known as a "soda straw" stalactite. Soda straws can grow quite long, but are very fragile. If they become plugged by debris, water begins flowing over the outside, depositing more calcite and creating the more familiar cone-shaped stalactite. The same water drops that fall from the tip of a stalactite deposit more calcite on the floor below, eventually resulting in a rounded or cone-shaped stalagmite. Unlike stalactites, stalagmites never start out as hollow "soda straws." Given enough time, these formations can meet and fuse to create columns.

Stalactites can also form in lava tubes, although the mechanism of formation is much different.

[Solaris]

But the simple question was 'is it a crystal, yes or no?' .

[kronos_fir18]

mainly stalagtites n stalagmites is not a crystal,cos it contain calcium carbonate,...but the substance inside it are crystal,which is the water itself..

[LunarWolf]

Wait but kronos, we do know that crystal can grow....

Actually depends on the chemical composition in the stalagtites n stalagmites. Some can be defined as a crystal depend on their geometrical position as most crystals are taken from caves . Do you call limestone hill crystal? No. So is rather vague if you were to ask me...

But if you were to ask my opinion, I will say is not a crystal.

According to wikipedia :
Which crystal structure the fluid will form depends on the chemistry of the fluid, the conditions under which it is being solidified, and also on the ambient pressure. While the cooling process usually results in the generation of a crystalline material, under certain conditions, the fluid may be frozen in a noncrystalline state.

So since stalagtites n stalagmites are formed from the water containing clacium hydrogen carbonate, and crystals are formed from water with minerals, then it might be yes.

[Kees]

No, a stalactite is definitely not a crystal.

[kronos_fir18]

@ lunar..tht's wat i'm talking bout.....stalactite is not a crystal...water is crystal substances...