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Question:

what is the difference between quartzite and quartz?

I took a trip to Hanging Rock in NC recently; I was curious about the layers down by the lower falls. I think what I saw was quartzite. Any ideas?

Answer:

This Site Might Help You. RE: what accounts for the physical difference between quartz and feldspar? quartz and feldspar both have a three-dimensional silicate structure, but feldspar cleaves and quartz does not. what causes their different appearance properties?
quartz is crystalline, feldspar is micro-crystalline.
I agree, there are other methods to vent one's frustrations, which do not involve violence. Being physically abusive or even striking someone in the heat of the moment, is a conscious choice (unless the person has a history of mental/behavioural issues, which is another matter). In reality, we do have a biased approach in society as to matters of violence. I find it disturbing that women think it's perfectly fine to hit a man when he deserves it, because he is supposed to be stronger, but when a man strikes a woman for any reason, the world goes ape and the male bashing begins again. To me, this is unfair and hypocritical, especially coming from women who claim to believe in equality, it's as if they were affirming that we are indeed the weaker sex, and at the same time, claim to be empowered and equal to men. Among many things, equality can also consist of treating your partner with the same respect that you would expect of him/her, and not accepting any less than that. As to the ladies who applauded the woman who smacked her cheating husband, I can guarantee that if it would have been the other way around, and he would have found out she had been unfaithful, then slapped her...their primarily focus would've been on that slap (and not a happy one at that), rather than the infidelity on her behalf. Interesting question, you have me feeling passionate about this, hehe. :-)
Quartz And Feldspar
Both are silicate minerals. Quartz has no crystalline structure. It is really a supercooled liquid just like window glass is. The conchoidal fracture is energy transfer like waves in a pond when you drop in a rock. The feldspars have 3-D framework for their crystalline structure in which the silica tetrahedra are packed as closely as possible. Natural lines of weakness form as the crystal grows and when the crystal is struck like with a hammer, it will break along these lines of weakness. This means the feldspars have cleavage planes. Quarts doesn't. Their hardness is about the same. Color varies in each one. Neither have streaks because they are so hard.

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