Nitrates - Soda Niter Composition and Structure

Composition. Sodium nitrate, NaNO3 = Nitrogen pentoxite 63.5, soda 36.5.

Crystallization. Hexagonal-rhombohedral. Homoeomorphous with calcite, has closely the same crystals constants, cleavage, optical properties, etc., as calcite. If a cleavage block of calcite is placed in a crystalizing solution of sodium nitrate, small rhombohedrons of the latter will form with parallel orientation on the calcite.

Structure. Usually massive, as an incrustation or in beds.

Physical Properties. Perfect rhombohedral cleavage. H. = 1.5-2. G. = 2.29. vitreous luster. Colorless or white, also reddish brown, gray, yellow, etc. Transparent to opaque. Cooling taste.

Test. Very easily fusible (1), giving a strong yellow sodium flame. After intense ignition gives an alkaline reacrtion on moistened tes paper. Easily and completely soluble in water. Heated in C. T. with potassiumb bisulphate gives off red vapors of nitrous oxide.

Occurrence. Because of its solubility in water it is only to be found in arid and desert regions. Found in large quantities in the provinces of Tarapacá and Antofagasta, northern Chile, and the neighboring parts of Bolivia. Occurs over inmense areas as a salt (caliche) bed interstratified with sand, beds of common salt, gypsum, Etc. Has been noted in Humboldt County, Nevada, and in San Berbnardino County, California.

Use. In Chile it is quarried, purified and used as a source of nitrates.

Niter
Potassium nitrate, KNO. Othorhombic. Usually as thin encrustations or as silky acicular crystals. Perfect cleavage. H. = 2. G. = 2.09-2.14. vitreous luster. Color white. Translucent. Easily (1) giving violet flame (potassium). After ignition gives alkaline reaction on moistened test paper. Heated in C. T. with potassium bisulfate gives red fumes of nitrous oxide. Easily soluble in water. Saline and cooling taste. Found as delicate crusts, as an efflorescence, on surfaces of earth, walls, rocks, etc. Found as a constituent of certain soils. Also in the loose soil of soils in Spain, Italy, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and India. Used as a source of nitrogen compounds.

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