Is a stone a substance or a body? Kinds of stones

From time immemorial stones have been endowed with magic properties. It was believed that the one who has more precious and natural stones is truly rich. Over time, this did not go anywhere. And today, having a large number of magnificent colorful shining pebbles - a rich man.

However, people have found application to natural, natural stones. In the able hands every miracle of the rock acquires a truly majestic appearance. But what is this subject from the scientific point of view? Is a stone a substance or a body? What does it consist of and what varieties are represented, how is it used by man, and what names does it bear? Let's try to understand.

Is a stone a substance or a body?

To answer this question, one should generally decide, but what are bodies and substances? Teachers from the fifth class at the lessons of natural history to children answer this question.

Teles are called all objects of animate and inanimate nature. While substances - this is just the material from which the bodies are composed. These concepts are closely interrelated. If you build a logical chain, it will take roughly the following form: bodies - substances - molecules - atoms - smaller structures in the core.

By their nature, stones are products of rocks, pieces and fragments from them. Therefore, when answering the question: "Is a stone a substance or a body?" - should pay attention to this fact. It should also be taken into account that the chemical nature of rocks is different, the substances from which they are formed are specific and unequal. Hence the conclusion: stones are both substances and bodies from the point of view of different sciences.

Classification of stones

This question generally remained open for a long time, as different scientists interpreted it in their own way. As a result, the classification of stones was given only much later, already in the XX century. In each country it has its own. For Russia, it is generally accepted that the system proposed by V. Ya. Kiyvlenko (1973) is acceptable.

1. Precious, or jewelry. Examples: ruby, sapphire, emerald, diamond, beryl, alexandrite, opal, zircon, moonstone, aquamarine, topaz, tourmaline, chrysolite, amethyst, turquoise, chrysoprase, almandine, rosolite, spinel, citrine, demantoid, spodunite, pyrope. All of them are divided into stones I, II, III and IV order.
2. Semiprecious, or jewelry and do-it-yourself. Examples: rock crystal, agate, chalcedony, amber, hematite, cachonite, rauchtopaz, amazonite, labrador, spar, quartz, rhodonite, opal ordinary, white-polish, heliotrope, rose quartz. All are divided into elements of the I and II order.
3. Do-it-yourself. Examples: marble, fluorite, selinite, quartzite, granite, jasper, agalmatolite, ganit, onyx, jasplite, listvenit, gagat, obsidian, onyx.

In a broader sense, all types of stones can be reduced to three groups:

• Natural;
• Artificial;
• Synthetic.

This classification is more chemical, since artificial and synthetic samples are obtained by laboratory methods.

The classes of stones that were listed above, within themselves also have certain subdivisions. For example, natural ones have their own special classification and names.

Stones from a chemical point of view

As already noted, the elements considered by nature are rocks. Therefore, from the chemical point of view, stone is a substance. The composition is usually determined by the combination of different metal oxides and their salts.

For example, the chemical composition of all known emeralds and rubies is almost unified - aluminum oxide AL ₂ O ₃ . The color is different because of the different impurities of other elements and the absorptive light capacity.

We can name several chemical groups of compounds underlying the composition of all natural, including precious, stones:

• Native elements (diamond - C);
• Halides;
• Sulfides;
• Oxides;
• Phosphates;
• Borates;
• Sulfates;
• Feldspars;
• Scapolites;
• Sadolites;
• Carbonates;
• Silicates;
• Grenades.

Each group has its own types of stones, counting hundreds of varieties. They are able to differ not only in composition, but also in color, shape, size, transparency, density.

Physical properties

From the point of view of the science of physics, stone is a body. So, the properties for it are characteristic, as well as for other similar objects: mass, temperature of melting and boiling, density, color, taste, smell and so on.

However, we all know that a significant part of the stones do not taste, smell, can not melt, but only crumble. The color is so diverse that it is simply impossible to drive it into a general framework. The palette of glow of precious and semiprecious stones is complete: from black and white to bright blue, red, green, yellow and violet shades.

In general, we can distinguish several main groups of physical characteristics of stones, both natural and artificial (including precious stones).

1. Strength and durability. By this indicator, it is possible to distinguish strong (granite), medium (marble) and low strength (tuff) samples.
2. Density. Corresponds to the previous indicator. They are divided into heavy - more than 2200 kg / m ³ and lungs - less than this indicator.
3. Water absorption capacity, which is determined by the porosity of the structure.
4. Acid resistance. The most persistent are granite and limestone. It is easy enough to crumble marble, as it enters with acid into a chemical reaction.

Thus, it can be concluded that the stone is a substance or a body of a natural nature, which is characterized by a number of physical and chemical characteristics and has great practical importance in people's lives.

Natural stones

Of course, there are too many of them to cover everything with a description. But the most common, those that are used by man most often, we will try to consider.

Outwardly, a very beautiful and noble species has any natural stone. Photo Stonehenge is perfectly confirms. Even in spite of the fact that such samples do not have a bright color and radiance, they amaze with their majesty and splendor.

Varieties

There are several popular examples of natural stones that people use in landscape design and construction because of their strength, beauty and environmental cleanness.

1. Marble, which can be of different shades and patterns (layered or spotty). Since ancient times it has been used as a stone for architectural structures. From the chemical point of view is calcium carbonate CaCO _3.
2. Granite. It is a material for finishing the floor, walls, facing buildings, creating incredible works of art (monuments, monuments, etc.). From the chemical point of view is a combination of feldspars, quartz and dark-colored minerals.
3. Sandstone. Used by people for paving sidewalks, building stairs, laying foundations. Used since antiquity. Chemical composition: quartz and feldspar.
4. Travertine. Extremely dense and strong stone, superior to marble in hardness. Also has good frost resistance. Used in construction on a par with granite and marble. Consists of minerals of calcium carbonate.
5. Tuff. A beautiful porous stone, quite loose. Used for the design of garden areas, facing buildings. The chemical nature is calcium carbonate, silicon compounds, volcanic ash and caked lava.
6. Jasper is a beautiful colored stone used for decorative finishes and jewelry. It is a mixture of compounds of silicon and iron oxides.

There are also such common stones as slate, basalt, dolomite, limestone and others, which are widely used in construction and are generally used by man. The natural stone, a photo of which can be seen in the article, is one of the most popular materials today for interior decoration of premises.

Artificial stones: classification

Such structures can be divided into four main groups:

• Acrylic;
• Polyester;
• Quartz agglomerates;
• Casting marble.

The main feature of each of them is that they are created artificially, by a person, and therefore do not occur in a free form in nature. Their properties are not inferior, and sometimes exceed, those of natural samples.

The main areas of use - the manufacture of countertops, sinks, laying walls, floors, window sills and other surfaces.

Stones in water - types and properties

Sea stones are an important element of decor for aquariums, bathrooms, decorating rooms in the appropriate style. They are very beautiful, diverse in shape, size and color, always attract attention.

What kinds of similar structures exist?

1. Shell rock. A natural stone, formed over the centuries from calcareous sediments and shell detritus of aquatic inhabitants of the oceans and seas. Has a beautiful milky shade, suitable for use in building characteristics. Widely used in interior design.
2. Pearl. It refers to natural sea stones for what is a product of the life of shellfish. Used in jewelry, it is very much appreciated for its strength, beauty and durability.
3. Corals. You can also call them sea stones, because they eventually turn into very strong structures, formed by calcareous minerals, quartz and the products of life of ocean inhabitants - polyps. Very diverse in color, are the most effective elements in the decoration of aquariums. Used in jewelry.

That is, sea stones are products of animal origin, formed under the influence of salty sea water and living organisms.

Gems

The most spectacular, fascinating and beautiful stones are, of course, precious. They were fought for, admired, presented as a sign of respect and love, they represented power and power. It is with precious stones associated with numerous legends, the magical power of their impact on the body is not explained until now.

Varieties and names

What are the stones of this type called? Names they have a lot, as, indeed, themselves. The most expensive and famous are:

• Diamonds - processed and cut diamonds;
• Blue sapphires;
• Blue topaz;
• Green emeralds;
• Aquamarine of the color of the sea;
• Violet and lilac amethysts and many others.

Stones are beautiful and unique products that make life more interesting, reliable and beautiful.