The word "calcine" is pronounced /ˈkælsaɪn/. It is spelled with the letter "c" which makes a hard "k" sound, followed by "a," "l," and "c" which all make their typical sounds. The final two letters, "i" and "n," create the sound /aɪn/ when combined, which can be represented in IPA as /-aɪn/. The term "calcine" refers to the process of heating a substance at high temperatures to remove impurities or to convert it into a different chemical form.
Calcine is a verb that refers to the process of heating a substance, typically a mineral or an ore, to a high temperature in order to drive off volatile components, burn off impurities, or create a new desired compound. This process is usually carried out in a furnace or kiln, where the material is subjected to intense heat, causing chemical changes to occur.
The purpose of calcination can vary depending on the substance being treated. In some cases, it is done to remove moisture or other volatile substances that could hinder subsequent processes, such as smelting or refining. Calcining can also be used to remove or reduce impurities, such as carbonates or sulfates, from raw ores to improve their quality. Additionally, calcination can be employed to achieve specific chemical reactions, transforming a material into a desired compound or altering its physical properties.
The temperature and duration of calcination are crucial factors that determine the outcome of the process. It is essential to reach a sufficiently high temperature to drive off the desired impurities or activate the chemical reactions, while avoiding excessive heat that could damage the material or cause it to melt.
Overall, the process of calcining plays a significant role in various industries, including metallurgy, ceramics, and chemistry, by enabling the transformation and purification of raw materials through controlled heating.
To expel water and animal matter by heat; to roast metals, bones, etc., reducing them to a powder or a friable condition.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
To reduce to powder by means of heat; to reduce a substance by heat to a calx state.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "calcine" has its roots in the Latin word "calcīnāre", meaning "to burn lime". This Latin term comes from "calx", which means "lime" or "a white substance obtained by heating limestone". The Latin word itself is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*kel-", meaning "to be hot" or "to burn". Over time, "calcine" in English came to be associated with the process of heating a substance to a high temperature to remove volatile components or for chemical transformation.