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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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M
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Mica
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INFOTEXT
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1992-09-03
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A group of silicate minerals that split
easily into thin flakes along lines of
weakness in their crystal structure (perfect
basal cleavage). They are glossy, have a
pearly lustre, and are found in many igneous
and metamorphic rocks. Their good thermal and
electrical insulation qualities make them
valuable in industry. Their chemical
composition is complicated, but they are
silicates with silicon-oxygen tetrahedra
arranged in continuous sheets, with weak
bonding betwen the layers, resulting in
perfect cleavage. A common example of mica is
muscovite (white mica), KAl2Si3Al10(OH)4.