ROCK SALT - Rock salt is also known by the mineral name of halite. Rock salt is that which is sedimentary – that is, it is found in hard layers underground. Pure rock salt is colorless. However, when found underground it is generally not completely pure, so may have yellow, red, gray or brown hues. It is either transparent or translucent and when you shine a light on it, its luster is vitreous, meaning it appears shiny and glassy. Rock salt has hygroscopic properties, meaning it is able to induce or sustain dryness. This is why salt was historically used as desiccant in food preservation. It is also commonly used as an extinguisher to put out kitchen or grease fires.

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Rock Salt

The Properties of Rock Salt

By Alice Hudson

Rock salt is a form of coarsely ground sodium chloride.

Sodium chloride, or salt, is employed in many industries, as well as used in cooking.

It helps set dyes in fabrics and is used in the process of producing detergent and soap as well as being used as grit on roads.

Rock salt has a crystalline structure, is used as a desiccant and can also be used as an extinguishing agent.

Mineral Classification and Chemical Symbol

Rock salt is also known by the mineral name of halite. Rock salt is that which is sedimentary – that is, it is found in hard layers underground.

According to ThinkQuestLibrary.org, not all salt is extracted from oceans or evaporated salt lakes. Rather, sedimentary salt is found in locations of former seas. Halite's chemical symbol is NaCI, meaning it contains one molecule each of chlorine and sodium.

Appearance

Pure rock salt is colorless. However, when found underground it is generally not completely pure, so may have yellow, red, gray or brown hues.

It is either transparent or translucent and when you shine a light on it, its luster is vitreous, meaning it appears shiny and glassy.

Structure

Rock salt forms in crystals with a simple cubic symmetry. When it is broken, it will break evenly into cubes and when it shatters, the pieces will be of different sizes and shapes.

Hardness and Weight

Mineralogists rate rock salt at 2 to 2.5 for hardness. This means it is quite soft, its surface able to be scratched with a fingernail. It is rated 2.1 to 2.3 for "specific gravity" meaning it is light in weight.

As a Desiccant and Extinguisher

Rock salt has hygroscopic properties, meaning it is able to induce or sustain dryness. This is why salt was historically used as desiccant in food preservation. It is also commonly used as an extinguisher to put out kitchen or grease fires.

About the Author

From New Zealand and now freelancing in London, Alice Hudson began her writing career in 2004, specializing in health and fitness, lifestyle and personal finance. Her work has appear in the "Hawke's Bay Today" daily newspaper and "The Herald on Sunday." Hudson attained a Bachelor of Arts and diploma in journalism from the University of Canterbury.

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