Limestone vs Chert

Limestone vs Chert Information

Earth’s outer layer is covered by rocks and these rocks have different physical and chemical properties. As two rocks are not same, it’s fun to compare them. You can also know more about Limestone and Chert Reserves. Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed mostly of calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate. Chert is a hard, dark, opaque sedimentary rock which is composed of silica with an amorphous fine-grained texture. These rocks are composed of many distinct minerals. The process of formation of rocks is different for various rocks. Rocks are quarried from many years for various purposes. You can check out Limestone vs Chert information and Limestone vs Chert characteristics in the upcoming sections.

Limestone vs Chert Characteristics

Though some rocks look identical, they have certain characteristics which distinguish them from others. Characteristics of rocks include texture, appearance, color, fracture, streak, hardness etc. Limestone vs Chert characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Limestone and Properties of Chert. Learn more about Limestone vs Chert in the next section. The interior uses of Limestone include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration whereas the interior uses of Chert include Decorative aggregates and Homes. Due to some exceptional properties of Limestone and Chert, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Limestone in construction industry include Cement manufacture, Cobblestones, For road aggregate, Production of glass and ceramics, Raw material for the manufacture of mortar, Roadstone, Source of calcium and that of Chert include Arrowheads, Construction aggregate, Cutting tool, Spear points.

More about Limestone and Chert

Here you can know more about Limestone and Chert. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Limestone and Chert consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Limestone includes Calcite, Chert, Clay, Dolomite, Quartz, Sand, Silt and mineral content of Chert includes Quartz, Silicon. You can also check out the list of all Sedimentary Rocks. When we have to compare Limestone vs Chert, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Limestone is available in beige, black, blue, brown, cream, gold, green, grey, light green, light grey, linen, pink, red, rust, silver, white, yellow colors whereas, Chert is available in black, brown, green, grey, red, white colors. Appearance of Limestone is Rough and Banded and that of Chert is Glassy or Pearly. Properties of rock is another aspect for Limestone vs Chert. The hardness of Limestone is 3-4 and that of Chert is 6.5-7. The types of Limestone are Chalk, Coquina, Fossiliferous Limestone, Lithographic Limestone, Oolitic Limestone, Travertine, Tufa whereas types of Chert are Flint, Jasper, Radiolarite, Common Chert, Chalcedony, Agate, Onyx, Opal, Magadi-type Chert, Porcelanite, Siliceous Sinter. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Limestone and Chert is white. The specific heat capacity of Limestone is 0.91 kJ/Kg K and that of Chert is 0.74 kJ/Kg K. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Limestone is pressure resistant whereas Chert is heat resistant, impact resistant, pressure resistant, wear resistant.