Question

Write a formula of the following mineral: Kieserite.

Answer 1

Hint: Minerals are the naturally occurring solids which consist of a crystalline structure and definite range of chemical formula whereas the ores are the concentrations of the naturally occurring minerals in rock. All ores are minerals but all minerals are not inevitably ores.

Complete answer:
Kieserite is categorized as sulphate minerals and has a vitreous lustre with a colourless or greyish-white appearance. It is a magnesium sulphate mineral with chemical formula $MgS{O_4} \cdot {H_2}O$ and it generally occurs in marine evaporites and is rarely found as a sublimate in volcanic environments.
It is primarily obtained from mining of deep underground deposits of minerals. These mineral resources contain a source of a variety of important plant nutrients. During the process, the ore is brought to the surface where magnesium salts are separated from other salts like sodium and potassium with the help of a unique dry electrostatic process.
The fine crystals of kieserite are majorly used for direct application to soil or it is granulated to a larger size which is used for bulk blending with other fertilizers. Therefore, Kieserite mineral is widely used in the production of Epsom salt and as a fertilizer. The other common use of kieserite is that due to its hardness which is more than hard water, it is used for cleaning hard water deposits from stones, tiles, pools and other fountain lining material.
Hence, the formula of a given mineral is $MgS{O_4} \cdot {H_2}O$

Note:
It is important to note that Gunningite is one of the important minerals of kieserite group which has a chemical formula $\left( {Zn,\;M{n^{2 + }}} \right)S{O_4} \cdot {H_2}O$. It is rarely found in the dry areas of the oxidized parts of sphalerite-bearing deposits and it is an example of a monoclinic crystal system.