lechatelierite
- noun
- /ˌlɛʃəˈtɛlɪˌeɪt/
- Specialized
:
lechatelierita
- Scientists identified the clear mineral as lechatelierite after analyzing its chemical composition.
Examples
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When lightning strikes a sandy beach, it can fuse the grains into lechatelierite.
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Fragments of lechatelierite were found at the meteorite impact site.
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The rare mineral lechatelierite is often found in areas struck by lightning.
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Scientists study lechatelierite to understand its formation processes.
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In some areas, lechatelierite can be found as a natural glass formed by the intense heat of lightning striking sand.
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Scientists studied samples of lechatelierite that were created by meteorite impacts in the desert.
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The discovery of lechatelierite among the debris provided evidence of past lightning strikes in the region.
Synonyms
2
5.3
A clear glass that resists heat and chemicals used for lab tools and scientific instruments
1
9.9
A small piece of glass that forms when a meteor hits Earth
1
6.8
A clear, hard material made mostly from pure sand that resists high heat and chemicals
A clear glass made mostly of silica that resists heat and chemicals
A shiny rock that forms when lava cools very fast
Surface Forms
Etymology
Lechatelierite is named after the French chemist Le Chatelier, and the ending -ite is a common word ending that means 'a mineral'. So lechatelierite literally means 'Le Chatelier's mineral' and refers to the clear natural 'glass' made when sand is fused by lightning or a meteor strike, which explains its modern meaning.