Isomorphism.

It is to be noted frequently that the results of a mineral analysis

do not agree with the theoretical composition of the mineral
as calculated from its formula. Further, it often happens that
the analyses of different specimens of the same mineral will
show marked variations in the proportions of the different elements
present. If the material analyzed was pure and the analysis
accurately made, these variations are commonly to be explained
by the principle of isomorphism. To make clear what
is meant by this term, it will be best to consider some illustrative
examples. Sphalerite, for instance, is a mineral which shows in
its different specimens a wide range in color, from white throughbrown to black, with a
corresponding variation in composition.
In column I is given an analysis of white sphalerite from Franklin
Furnace, N. J., in column II is given an analysis of a brown
sphalerite from Roxbury, Conn., and in column III that of a
black sphalerite from Felsobanya.
It will be noted that in the three analyses there is a progressive
increase in the percentages of iron present and a corresponding
decrease in the amount of zinc. It would appear as if the iron
had replaced a portion of the zinc in the mineral and was playing
the same part as the zinc in the molecule. Further, if the
atomic ratios are derived from each analysis by the method described
in the preceding division, it will be found that in analyses
II and III the series of numbers do not show any rational
relations to each other. But, if the numbers derived in each
case from the percentages of the different metals present are
combined, their sum will equal the number derived from the percentage
of the sulphur. In other words, the number of atoms of
zinc plus those of iron, lead and cadmium equals the number of
atoms of sulphur. The formula of sphalerite could therefore be
written R"S, where R" equals chiefly zinc, with smaller amounts
of iron and other metals. Another way of expressing the same
thing would be (Zn,Fe)S. In this case the iron is said to be
isomorphous with the zinc, since it has the power to replace the
zinc in the mineral in varying proportions without changing its
molecular structure or crystal form.
The garnets form a series of minerals with the same crystallization
and general physical properties, but show quite a wide
variation in chemical composition. Consider the following analysis
of an almandine garnet :
t is a silicate containing chiefly ferrous and aluminium oxides
but with smaller amounts of manganese, magnesium, calcium and
ferric oxides. If the ratio of the series of oxides to each other
in the molecule is obtained, it is seen that it is not a rational one.
But if the ratio numbers of the similar oxides are combined,

that is, the number from the A12 3 with that from the Fe2 3 , and
that from the FeO with those from the MnO, MgO and CaO,
it will be found that the relationship of the different groups of
radicals can be expressed as Si02 : A12 3 -j- Fe2 3 : FeO + MnO
+ MgO -f CaO = 3:1:3. From this it is seen that some of
the possible A12 3 has been replaced by isomorphous Fe2 3 ,
and that a part of the FeO has been replaced by the isomorphous
oxides of MnO, MgO and CaO. The formula for this
garnet might be written, therefore, as 3R//0.1R2
///
3.3Si02 or
R3
//R2
///
(Si04) 3 , in which R" = Fe, Mn, Mg and Ca, and R'" = A1
and Fe.
Isomorphous Groups. A series of compounds which have
analogous chemical compositions and closely similar crystal
forms are said to make an isomorphous group. The artificial
compounds known as the alums form a striking example. They
are double salts of sulphuric acid, similar to the following,
KA1(S04 ) 2.12H20, which is known as potash alum. They may
vary, in their composition by the substitution of Na, Li, NH4 ,
etc., for the potassium and of Fe"' and Cr for the aluminium.
All these compounds have, therefore, different but analogous
compositions, and it is found also that they all crystallize in the
Isometric System with an octahedral habit. Further, if a crystal
of one alum is suspended in a saturated solution of another
member of the series, the crystal will continue to grow. From
this it is proved that the molecules of the different alums are
physically so closely alike that they can be substituted for each
other in any proportion. Therefore this series of compounds is
said to be an Isomorphous Group.
Many such groups are to be found in minerals, and attention
is called to them in various places in Section IV. Reference
might be made to one of the most prominent of these in the case
of the Calcite Group (see page 203). This is a series of minerals all of which are carbonates of
similar bivalent metals, and therefore
they can be said to have analogous chemical compositions.
Further, they all crystallize in the same crystal system and class,
and have closely agreeing angles between similar crystal faces.
Consequently they conform to the second requirement for an
Isomorphous Group, namely, that the minerals of it should show
similar crystal forms.
Dimorphism, Trimorphism, Etc.
A number of cases are well known among minerals in which

two or three different species have the same chemical composition

but distinctly different physical properties. When one
compound appears in two different forms, it is said to be dimorphous
; when in three different forms, trimorphous. Carbon in
the forms of graphite and diamond, calcium carbonate as calcite
and aragonite, iron sulphide as pyrite and marcasite, are familiar
examples of dimorphism. The two minerals in each case differ
from each other in such physical properties as crystallization,
hardness, specific gravity, color, reactions with acids, etc. Titanium
oxide, Ti02 , is trimorphous, since it occurs in the three
distinct minerals, rutile, octahedrite and brookite.