Thermobarometry Problem Set

Jane Selverstone
,
University of New Mexico


Summary

This homework assignment gives students first-hand experience with thermobarometric calculations. Because many of my students are math challenged, I give them a choice of solving the equations by hand or with Excel. They must first look at mineral compositions and make predictions regarding relative pressures, then calculate conditions for two sets of compositions, and finally use the P-T results to evaluate a tectonic hypothesis. The "thinking" questions are very open ended and can involve discussion of diffusion, heat flow, and tectonic settings.

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Context

Audience

This activity is designed for a sophomore or junior level petrology course for geoscience majors.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

How the activity is situated in the course

This course is a stand-alone exercise.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

This activity is designed to help students perform thermobarometric calculations by hand or using Exel in order to gain a better understanding of minerals and P-Ts.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Other skills goals for this activity

Description of the activity/assignment

This homework assignment gives students first-hand experience with thermobarometric calculations. Because many of my students are math challenged, I give them a choice of solving the equations by hand or with Excel. They must first look at mineral compositions and make predictions regarding relative pressures, then calculate conditions for two sets of compositions, and finally use the P-T results to evaluate a tectonic hypothesis. The "thinking" questions are very open ended and can involve discussion of diffusion, heat flow, and tectonic settings.

Determining whether students have met the goals

Students have met the goals if they have successfully completed the problem set and are able to answer the thinking questions at the end.

More information about assessment tools and techniques.

Teaching materials and tips

  • Instructors Notes (Acrobat (PDF) 52kB Jun26 03)
  • Other Materials

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