2.3 Goldschmidt's classification Flashcards
What is the literal translation of lithophile?
rock-loving
What is the literal translation of siderophile?
iron-loving
What is the literal translation of chalcophile?
copper-loving / ore-loving
What is the literal translation of atmophile?
gas-loving
What is the definition of a lithophile element?
elements that combine readily with oxygen
What is the definition of a siderophile element?
elements that combine more easily with iron than oxygen
What is the definition of a chalcophile element?
elements which combine readily with sulfur
What is the definition of an atmophile element?
they occur as liquids or gases at the temperature and pressure conditions found on or above the Earth’s surface
What are the characteristics of lithophile compounds?
low-density, commonly oxides
What are the characteristics of siderophile compounds?
high-density
What are the characteristics of chalcophile compounds?
higher-density sulfides (higher density that lithophiles, less dense than siderophiles)
Where are atmophile elements found?
in the atmosphere
Where are lithophile elements found?
in the crust
Where are siderophile elements found?
in the core
Where are chalcophile elements found?
in the mantle
Why are elements from the different Goldschmidt groups found in different layers within the Earth?
The different densities of the compounds led to gravitational sorting - the heaviest compounds sunk to the core, while the lightest compounds and elements are found in the atmosphere and crust.
Give an example of a lithophile element.
Al, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, F, Si
Give an example of a chalcophile element.
Ag, Cu, Hg, Pb, S, Zn
Give an example of a siderophile element.
Co, Au, Ni, Pt
Give an example of an atmophile element.
N, Xe, Ar, Ne, H, C
What accounts for the occurrence of rare siderophiles which occur in the crust?
They came from meteorite impacts after the crust had solidified (so couldn’t sink towards the core).
