2.3 Goldschmidt's classification

Question 1

What is the literal translation of lithophile?

Answer 1

rock-loving

Question 2

What is the literal translation of siderophile?

Answer 2

iron-loving

Question 3

What is the literal translation of chalcophile?

Answer 3

copper-loving / ore-loving

Question 4

What is the literal translation of atmophile?

Answer 4

gas-loving

Question 5

What is the definition of a lithophile element?

Answer 5

elements that combine readily with oxygen

Question 6

What is the definition of a siderophile element?

Answer 6

elements that combine more easily with iron than oxygen

Question 7

What is the definition of a chalcophile element?

Answer 7

elements which combine readily with sulfur

Question 8

What is the definition of an atmophile element?

Answer 8

they occur as liquids or gases at the temperature and pressure conditions found on or above the Earth’s surface

Question 9

What are the characteristics of lithophile compounds?

Answer 9

low-density, commonly oxides

Question 10

What are the characteristics of siderophile compounds?

Answer 10

high-density

Question 11

What are the characteristics of chalcophile compounds?

Answer 11

higher-density sulfides (higher density that lithophiles, less dense than siderophiles)

Question 12

Where are atmophile elements found?

Answer 12

in the atmosphere

Question 13

Where are lithophile elements found?

Answer 13

in the crust

Question 14

Where are siderophile elements found?

Answer 14

in the core

Question 15

Where are chalcophile elements found?

Answer 15

in the mantle

Question 16

Why are elements from the different Goldschmidt groups found in different layers within the Earth?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Give an example of a lithophile element.

Answer 17

Al, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, F, Si

Question 18

Give an example of a chalcophile element.

Answer 18

Ag, Cu, Hg, Pb, S, Zn

Question 18

Give an example of a siderophile element.

Answer 18

Co, Au, Ni, Pt

Question 19

Give an example of an atmophile element.

Answer 19

N, Xe, Ar, Ne, H, C

Question 20

What accounts for the occurrence of rare siderophiles which occur in the crust?

Answer 20

They came from meteorite impacts after the crust had solidified (so couldn’t sink towards the core).