Properties of Trona

Trona is a naturally occurring mineral that is composed of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and water. It is typically found in alkaline lake environments and is a significant source of sodium compounds.

Image of trona mineral
Credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com - CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The following table provides a comprehensive list of trona properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).

Note: click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.

Table of Trona Properties
Physical Properties
Metric
Chemical FormulaNa3(CO3)(HCO3)2H2O
Molar Mass226.026 g/mol
Crystal SystemMonoclinic
Mohs Hardness2.5
Density2110 - 2170 kg/m3
ColorYellowish white, gray, or white
DiaphaneityTranslucent
LusterVitreous (glassy)
Cleavage[100] perfect, [111] indistinct, [001] indistinct
FractureSubconchoidal
StreakWhite

Note: unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)

Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017.