Indicatrix Movies

Dave Hirsch
,
Western WA Univ Geology
Author Profile
Initial Publication Date: June 21, 2010

Summary

These movies show the indicatrix, a mineral, the principal indices of refraction, and the interference color predicted, all changing as the cut through the mineral varies. It is meant to be a lecture aid, or can be used as part of a problem set.

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Context

Audience

Optical Mineralogy, Petrology, or Petrography for undergraduates.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Should understand fast/slow rays and their relationship to the interference color chart.

How the activity is situated in the course

I use this as a lecture aid, but will likely design a problem set around it.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Understand the interaction between light and crystals.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

3-D visualization, using abstract models to understand observed phenomena

Other skills goals for this activity

Description of the activity/assignment

Determining whether students have met the goals

More information about assessment tools and techniques.

Teaching materials and tips

Other Materials

Supporting references/URLs