Phase Equilibria
Summary
This is a short exercise that introduces basic thermodynamics.
Context
Audience
This exercise is designed for a mid/upper-level undergraduate geology course on the principles of mineralogy.
Skills and concepts that students must have mastered
Students should have knowledge of basic chemistry and of minerals equivalent to what they would learn in an introductory geology class.
How the activity is situated in the course
This activity is the 20th of 36 mineralogy exercises and is used around the middle of the course.
Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity
- Learn to do fundamental thermodynamic calculations.
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
- Use data to create phase diagrams.
Other skills goals for this activity
Description of the activity/assignment
This is a short exercise that introduces basic thermodynamics. Students write the formulas for grossular, quartz, anorthite, and wollastonite. Then they answer questions and make calculations related to thermodynamics, phase equilibria, and the above minerals.
Determining whether students have met the goals
More information about assessment tools and techniques.Download teaching materials and tips
This assignment can be downloaded in pdf (Acrobat (PDF) 405kB Jul7 05) format.
