\nDolomite, apparently, is CaMg(CO3<\/sub>)2<\/sub>. Calcite, on the other hand, is CaCO3<\/sub>. Moreover, the mass of magnesium (Mg) is 24, while calcium (Ca) is 40.<\/p>\n I recently looked at a bag of agricultural lime that said its typical analysis is 26% calcium, 6% magnesium. The question: how much of it is dolomite, vs calcite, assuming the whole sample is some mix of them?<\/p>\n \nChemical analysis, unless otherwise stated, is done by mass: therefore, the ratio of Ca to Mg is 26 to 6 by mass.<\/p>\n On the other hand, molecular formulas are by number (moles) of each atom present in a given unit.\n \nFormulaically, the Ca:calcite ratio is 1:1, as is the Ca:dolomite; the Mg:calcite is 0, while Mg:dolomite is 1:1.<\/p>\n The equation to solve, if x is moles dolomite while y is moles calcite:<\/p>\n (40x + 40y)\/24x = 26\/6<\/p>\n Then, cross-multiplying,<\/p>\n \n240x + 240y = 624x<\/p>\n \n240y = 384x\n<\/p>\n \ny\/x = 384\/240<\/p>\n \nTherefore, it seems that the molar ratio of calcite to dolomite is 1.6\/1, or 8\/5.<\/p>\n Source:<\/p>\n Calcite-Dolomite<\/a><\/p>\n pubchem<\/a><\/p>\nJack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane,<\/a> Campbell River, BC.\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Self-tutoring about the chemical composition of an agricultural lime product: the tutor makes a calculation. Dolomite, apparently, is CaMg(CO3)2. Calcite, on the other hand, is CaCO3. Moreover, the mass of magnesium (Mg) is 24, while calcium (Ca) is 40. I …<\/p>\n