Enargite belongs to which mineral class?

Study for the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology exam. Access flashcards, multiple-choice questions, and understand key geologic principles. Prepare confidently for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Enargite belongs to which mineral class?

Explanation:
Sulfide minerals are defined by having sulfur as the dominant anion in their crystal structure. Enargite, with the formula Cu3AsS4, shows sulfur bound with copper and arsenic and contains no silicon, carbon, or oxygen in its framework. That makes it a sulfide mineral. It’s not silicate, carbonate, or oxide because those classes require silicon-oxygen tetrahedra, carbonate groups, or metal-oxygen compounds, respectively, which enargite does not have.

Sulfide minerals are defined by having sulfur as the dominant anion in their crystal structure. Enargite, with the formula Cu3AsS4, shows sulfur bound with copper and arsenic and contains no silicon, carbon, or oxygen in its framework. That makes it a sulfide mineral. It’s not silicate, carbonate, or oxide because those classes require silicon-oxygen tetrahedra, carbonate groups, or metal-oxygen compounds, respectively, which enargite does not have.

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