Fluorite
Calcium fluoride (chemical formula: CaF2) is an inorganic compound that is colorless crystal or white powder. It is insoluble in water and slightly soluble in mineral acid. It reacts with hot concentrated sulfuric acid to produce hydrofluoric acid. In general, calcium fluoride is prepared by reacting calcium carbonate with hydrofluoric acid or repeatedly treating fluorite powder with concentrated hydrochloric acid or hydrofluoric acid. Natural calcium fluoride minerals, a kind of fluorite, are gray, yellow, green and purple, and sometimes colorless and transparent. They are glassy, brittle and fluorescently visible. Very pure fluorite is used to make special lenses. Fluorite is mainly used as a flux for smelting metals.
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