The chemical formula of dolomite is CaMg(CO₃)₂.
Physical Properties of Dolomite:
| Properties | Details |
| Cleavage | Perfect in three directions, producing rhombohedral fragments |
| Color | Colorless, white, gray, pink, brown, or black |
| Crystal System | Trigonal |
| Density | 2.8 to 2.9 g/cm³ |
| Fracture | Subconchoidal to uneven |
| Hardness | 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale |
| Luster | Vitreous to pearly |
| Refractive Index | 1.50 to 1.68 |
| Streak | White to gray |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
Chemical Properties of Dolomite:
| Properties | Details |
| Chemical Formula | CaMg(CO₃)₂ |
| Composition | Calcium magnesium carbonate |
| Melting Point | Approximately 1650-1750°C (3000-3182°F) |
| pH | Neutral to slightly basic (pH 7-8) |
| Reaction with Acid | Reacts slowly with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce effervescence |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water |
| Thermal Decomposition | Dolomite decomposes to form calcium oxide (lime) and magnesium oxide (periclase) when heated strongly |
| Weathering | Susceptible to weathering and dissolution in the presence of acidic waters |
Reactions of dolomite with Alkali Metal
| Alkali Metal | Reaction |
| Lithium (Li) | no reaction occur hence no product formed |
| Sodium (Na) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with sodium. |
| Potassium (K) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with potassium. |
| Rubidium (Rb) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with rubidium. |
| Cesium (Cs) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with cesium. |
| Francium (Fr) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with francium. |
Reactions of dolomite with Alkaline Earth Metal
| Alkaline Earth Metal | Reaction |
| Beryllium (Be) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with beryllium. |
| Magnesium (Mg) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with magnesium. |
| Calcium (Ca) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with calcium under normal conditions. |
| Strontium (Sr) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with strontium. |
| Barium (Ba) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with barium. |
| Radium (Ra) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with radium. |
Reactions of dolomite with Transition Metal
| Transition Metal | Reaction |
| Scandium (Sc) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with scandium. |
| Titanium (Ti) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with titanium. |
| Vanadium (V) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with vanadium. |
| Chromium (Cr) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with chromium. |
| Manganese (Mn) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with manganese. |
| Iron (Fe) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with iron. |
| Cobalt (Co) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with cobalt. |
| Nickel (Ni) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with nickel. |
| Copper (Cu) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with copper. |
| Zinc (Zn) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with zinc. |
| Yttrium (Y) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with yttrium. |
| Zirconium (Zr) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with zirconium. |
| Niobium (Nb) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with niobium. |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with molybdenum. |
| Technetium (Tc) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with technetium. |
| Ruthenium (Ru) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with ruthenium. |
| Rhodium (Rh) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with rhodium. |
| Palladium (Pd) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with palladium. |
| Silver (Ag) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with silver. |
| Cadmium (Cd) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with cadmium. |
Reactions of dolomite with Non-Transition Metal
| Non-Transition Metal | Reaction |
| Aluminum (Al) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with aluminum. |
| Gallium (Ga) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with gallium. |
| Indium (In) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with indium. |
| Tin (Sn) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with tin. |
| Thallium (Tl) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with thallium. |
| Lead (Pb) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with lead. |
| Bismuth (Bi) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with bismuth. |
| Polonium (Po) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with polonium. |
| Nitrogen (N) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with nitrogen. |
| Phosphorus (P) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with phosphorus. |
| Oxygen (O) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with oxygen. |
| Sulfur (S) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with sulfur. |
| Selenium (Se) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with selenium. |
| Fluorine (F) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with fluorine. |
| Chlorine (Cl) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with chlorine. |
| Bromine (Br) | no reaction occur hence no product formed with bromine. |