Chrysotile belongs to which main asbestos group?

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Multiple Choice

Chrysotile belongs to which main asbestos group?

Explanation:
Asbestos minerals are grouped into serpentine and amphibole based on their crystal structure. Chrysotile is the serpentine member. It has a sheet silicate structure (chemical formula roughly Mg3Si2O5(OH)4) that forms curved, flexible fibers, which is characteristic of serpentine minerals. In contrast, amphiboles have a double-chain silicate structure and produce straighter, more rigid fibers. So chrysotile’s sheet-silicate, curly-fiber nature places it squarely in the serpentine group.

Asbestos minerals are grouped into serpentine and amphibole based on their crystal structure. Chrysotile is the serpentine member. It has a sheet silicate structure (chemical formula roughly Mg3Si2O5(OH)4) that forms curved, flexible fibers, which is characteristic of serpentine minerals. In contrast, amphiboles have a double-chain silicate structure and produce straighter, more rigid fibers. So chrysotile’s sheet-silicate, curly-fiber nature places it squarely in the serpentine group.

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