This is a simple essay explaining the Bowen Reaction Series.

Works Cited: Chernicoff & Fox Essentials of Geology, Ghaly Basic Geosciences Illustrations For all Levels The Bowen response Series In 1922, Norman Levi Bowen and his colleagues determined the sequence in which silicate minerals class as magma cools (Chernicoff 56). This work made it possible to summarize a complex set of geochemical relationships, called Bowens Reaction Series. This series shows that silicate mineralscancrystallize from mafic magmas in two ways, in a noncontinuous series or a continuous series. Iron and magnesium rich silicates(ferromagnesian) crystallize one after other in a special sequence (Chernicoff 56). Because each successive reference of this mineral crystalized differs from the one that came before it, this approach is called the discontinuous series. In the discontinuous series the first ferromagnesian mineral to crystallize is olivine. Olivine has a minor silica content and a relatively simple construction of independ ent tetrahedra (Chernicoff 56). At the same temperatures as the olivine and the pyroxenes crystallize, so does the atomic number 20 feldspar. As these crystals continue to interact with the remaining liquid, sodiumions from the liquid magma tack the calcium ions in the calcium feldspar (Chernicoff 57). Eventually the crystals are completely converted to sodium feldspar. Because one type of ion is being replaced by a similar ion; the inner(a) structure does not change. This progression is called the continuous series (Chernicoff 57).

After both minerals from the discontinuous series and the continuo us series have crystallized completely from ! an ab initio mafic magma, less than 10% of the original liquid remains (Chernicoff 57). Depending on its composition, this liquid whitethorn now contain higher concentrations of silica, potassium, and aluminum. In such a case, potassium feldspar, potassium-aluminum mica, and quartz are the playact minerals to crystallize (Cherincoff 57). Higher Temperature: Basic Magma Olivine Anorthite Bytownite Pyroxene Labradorite Amphiboles Andesine Oligoclase Biotite Albite Orthoclase Muscovite Quartz... If you want to get a well(p) essay, order it on our website: BestEssayCheap.com

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