Libethenite
Cu2(PO4)(OH)IMA symbol: Libgrandfathered
Libethenite is a phosphate, arsenate, or vanadate mineral with the formula Cu2(PO4)(OH), crystallizing in the orthorhombic system. It has a Mohs hardness of 4, typically green in color, with a resinous luster, a specific gravity of 3.6-3.8. Its streak is green.
Photos
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Crystallography
| Crystal system | orthorhombic crystal systemWikidata (CC0) |
|---|---|
| Space group | P n n m |
| Cell (Å, °) | a = 8.062, b = 8.384, c = 5.881; α = 90, β = 90, γ = 90 |
| Cell volume | 397.507 ų, Z = 4 |
| Axial ratios | 0.9616:1:0.7015calculated from COD 9004131 |
| Source structure | COD 9004131 (The Canadian Mineralogist, 1978) — 1 of 5 structures |
Powder X-ray diffraction (calculated)
| d (Å) | 4.815 | 5.811 | 2.624 | 2.906 | 4.751 | 3.719 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I/I₀ | 100 | 97 | 95.2 | 93.4 | 78.9 | 55.5 |
xrd-v1: CuKa1 1.5406A, 2theta 5-90, top10, Imax=100, no DW/PO. Computed from COD 9004131; idealized occupancies, no preferred orientation.
Physical properties
| Density (calculated) | 3.995 g/cm³calculated from COD 9004131 |
|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs) | 4single sourceWikidata (CC0) 4single sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Specific gravity | 3.6-3.8 g/cm3single sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Color | greensingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Streak | greensingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Luster | resinoussingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
Chemistry (calculated)
| Molecular weight | 239.07 g/molcalculated from the IMA formula |
|---|---|
| Composition (wt%) | Cu 53.16%, P 12.96%, O 33.46%, H 0.42% |
Classification
| Nickel-Strunz (10th) | 8.BB.30Wikidata (CC0) |
|---|---|
| Nickel-Strunz (9th) | 8.BB.30Wikidata (CC0) |
| Dana (8th) | 41.6.6.2Wikidata (CC0) |