torbernite

[ tawr-ber-nahyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a mineral, hydrated copper uranium phosphate, CuU 2 P 2 O 12 ⋅12H 2 O, occurring in square tabular crystals of a bright-green color: a minor ore of uranium; copper uranite.

torbernite

/ ˈtɔːbəˌnaɪt /

a green secondary mineral consisting of hydrated copper uranium phosphate in the form of square platelike crystals. Formula: Cu(UO 2 ) 2 (PO 4 ) 2 .12H 2 O

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1850–55; named after Torbern Bergman (1735–84), Swedish chemist; -ite ¹

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C19: named after Torbern O. Bergman (1735–84), Swedish chemist; see -ite ¹

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The colour is sulphur-yellow, and this enables the mineral to be distinguished at a glance from the emerald-green torbernite.

Though closely resembling the tetragonal torbernite in form, it crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and is optically biaxial.

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