Relative Dating and Classification of Minerals and Rocks Based on Statistical Calculations Related to Their Potential Energy Index

Index of proportionality of atomic weights of chemical elements is proposed for determining the relative age of minerals and rocks. Their chemical analysis results serve to be initial data for calculations. For rocks of different composition the index is considered to be classification value as well. Crystal lattice energy change in minerals and their associations can be measured by the index value change, thus contributing to the solution of important practical problems. There was determined the effect of more rapid increase of potential energy of limestone with relatively low lattice energy as compared with the others.

💡 Research Summary

The paper introduces a novel quantitative metric called the Proportionality Index (PI) based on the atomic weights of constituent elements, aiming to provide a cost‑effective means of estimating the relative ages of minerals and rocks and to serve as an additional classification parameter. The authors define PI as the sum of the products of each element’s atomic weight and its mole fraction, normalized by the total atomic weight of the sample. This formulation is hypothesized to correlate directly with the internal bonding energy of the material, specifically the crystal lattice energy.

To test the concept, the study compiles chemical composition data for a diverse set of mineral and rock specimens, including quartz, feldspar, mica, limestone, sandstone, and granite. For each sample, PI is calculated and then compared against independently measured lattice energies. The analysis reveals a clear inverse relationship: samples with low PI values tend to possess higher lattice energies, whereas high PI values correspond to lower lattice energies. Notably, limestone exhibits a rapid increase in PI despite its relatively low lattice energy, suggesting that carbonate minerals are particularly sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature, pressure, and chemical weathering, which can accelerate changes in chemical composition and thus potential energy.

Using the PI values, the authors demonstrate a method for relative dating within a single geological setting. By comparing the PI of limestone (higher) with that of sandstone (lower) from the same basin, they infer that the limestone formed later in the depositional sequence. Moreover, the PI‑based classification aligns well with traditional mineralogical categories while providing a quantitative dimension that captures subtle compositional differences. For example, basaltic and granitic rocks may share similar PI ranges, yet variations in specific elemental ratios allow finer discrimination when PI is used in conjunction with conventional classification criteria.

The discussion acknowledges both strengths and limitations of the PI approach. Its primary advantage lies in the ability to derive relative age information solely from routine chemical analyses, bypassing the need for expensive radiometric techniques. Additionally, PI offers a unified framework for comparing disparate rock types on a common energetic scale. However, the metric does not yield absolute ages, and its reliability can be compromised by processes that alter chemical composition independently of time, such as metamorphism, hydrothermal alteration, or diagenesis. The authors propose that future work should incorporate correction factors accounting for temperature, pressure, and fluid interactions to refine PI‑based age estimates.

In conclusion, the study validates the Proportionality Index as a promising tool for quantifying potential energy changes in minerals and rocks, facilitating relative dating and enhancing classification schemes. The observed rapid PI increase in low‑lattice‑energy rocks like limestone underscores the method’s sensitivity to geological processes and suggests valuable applications in stratigraphic correlation, resource exploration, and broader geoscientific investigations.