rubies and sapphires are oxides of which element
Rubies and sapphires are oxides of the element aluminium.
Quick Scoop
- Both ruby and sapphire are varieties of the mineral corundum, whose chemical formula is Al2O3\text{Al}_2\text{O}_3Al2O3, aluminium oxide.
- In both gems, aluminium atoms are bonded with oxygen atoms in a crystalline lattice, which is why they are described as oxides of aluminium.
- The different colors (red for ruby, typically blue for sapphire) come from tiny amounts of impurity elements like chromium, iron, or titanium, not from a different main element.
Answer in exam-style form:
Rubies and sapphires are oxides of aluminium.
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