You may be wondering how salt solutions and the lever rule are related to igneous rocks. There are many connections. For example, magmas are mixtures of crystals and liquids, as are halite-saturated brines. And the composition of magmatic liquids is generally different than the composition of the crystals in the magma, just as the chemical composition of brines is different than the composition of halite. However, the similarities should become even more clear as we consider the effects of temperature.
To add temperature, let's begin with another thought experiment. What would happen if you added the mineral halite (NaCl) to a glass filled with hot water and stirred the mixture? How would the results differ from a room temperature experiment? Please make a prediction by answering the following question using the pulldown list.
Yes. More halite can dissolve at higher temperatures before saturation is reached. It is generally true that mineral solubility in solutions is greater at higher temperatures and lower at lower temperatures.
No. More halite can dissolve at higher temperatures before saturation is reached. It is generally true that mineral solubility in solutions is greater at higher temperatures and lower at lower temperatures.
