What happens when a piece of calcite is struck by a hammer?

1 Answer
Don Mac
Mar 10, 2016

It will generally break into little rhombs.

Explanation:

Cleavage is how a rock will break and is a function of its crystal structure. The cleavage of calcite is usually in three directions parallel to the rhombohedron form. So, when struck by a hammer it will generally break into little rhombs.

Calcite is also very soft compared to the steel of a rock hammer, so breaks easily. Calcite also reacts vigorously with a fizzzzzz when you put weak acid on it.

http://www.decodedscience.org/how-the-vikings-might-have-used-iceland-spar-crystals-for-navigation/27965 image source here

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