Chalk

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Chalk

Chalk (/tʃɔːk/) is a soft, white, porous, sedimentary carbonate rock, a form of limestone composed of the mineral calcite.

Etymology

The word "chalk" is derived from the Old English cealc, which in turn is a loanword from the Latin calx, meaning "lime".

Description

Chalk forms under deep marine conditions when micro-organisms called coccolithophores shed calcite plates to form minute plankton. These plates are then deposited onto the ocean floor where they compact over millions of years to form chalk.

Medical Uses

In the medical field, chalk is used in its powdered form as an ingredient in antacids, such as Tums, to neutralize stomach acid. It is also used in various medical procedures as a drying agent to absorb moisture.

Related Terms

  • Calcite: A carbonate mineral and the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate, the primary component of chalk.
  • Coccolithophores: A type of marine phytoplankton that produces calcite plates, which contribute to the formation of chalk.
  • Tums: A popular brand of antacid that contains powdered chalk (calcium carbonate) as its primary active ingredient.

External links

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