Teaching Mineralogy -- Table of Contents

Tutorials on analytical instruments and techniques typically used in mineralogy, including brief descriptions of the technique, fundamental principles, description of instrumentation, applications, strengths and limitations, sample preparation, data collection and reduction, bibliography, and links to useful resources for further exploration. These tutorials were developed for the Integrating Research and Education project (NSF 03-06708). Techniques described include:

• Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction -- Christine M. Clark, Eastern Michigan University and Barbara L. Dutrow, Louisiana State University
• X-ray Powder Diffractions (XRD) -- Barbara L. Dutrow, Louisiana State University and Christine M. Clark, Eastern Michigan University
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) -- Susan Swapp, University of Wyoming
• Electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) -- John Goodge, University of Minnesota-Duluth
• Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) -- John Goodge, University of Minnesota-Duluth
• Wavelength-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (WDS) -- Darrell Henry, Louisiana State University and John Goodge, University of Minnesota-Duluth
• Back-Scattered Electron Detector (BSE) -- John Goodge, University of Minnesota-Duluth
• X-ray Elemental Mapping -- John Goodge, University of Minnesota-Duluth
• Scanning Electron Microscopy - Cathodoluminescence (SEM-CL) -- Darrell Henry, Louisiana State University
• Optical Cathodoluminescence (Optical-CL) -- Darrell Henry, Louisiana State University
• Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) -- Susan Swapp, Univeristy of Wyoming
• Mossbauer Spectroscopy -- M. Darby Dyar, Mount Holyoke College

Teaching Activities Using Analytical Instrumentation:

• Better Living Through Minerals: X-Ray Diffraction of Household Products -- Barb Dutrow , Louisiana State University
• X-ray Analysis of Unknown Minerals -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• X-ray Analysis of Sand -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Mineral Synthesis and X-Ray Diffraction Experiments -- Dexter Perkins and Paul Sorensen, University of North Dakota
• Determination of Chemical Composition, State of Order, Molar Volume, and Density of a Monoclinic Alkali Feldspar Using X-Ray Diffraction -- Guy L. Hovis, Lafayette College
• Phase Fun With Feldspars: Simple Experiments to Change Chemical Composition, State of Order, and Crystal System -- Guy L. Hovis, Lafayette College
• Introduction to the SEM/EDS or "Every Composition Tells a Story" -- John T Cheney and Peter D. Crowley, Amherst College
• Color in Minerals -- M. Darby Dyar, West Chester University

Crystallography

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• Symmetry -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Point Groups -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Plane Groups - Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Symmetry Summary -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• First Look at Crystal Shapes -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Using SHAPE to Make Crystal Drawings -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Computer Generated Crystals Using Shape -- Kenneth J. Brock , Indiana University Northwest
• Miller Indices and Symmetry Content: A Demonstration Using SHAPE, a Computer Program for Drawing Crystals -- Michael A. Velbel, Michigan State University
• Use of Natural Crystals in the Study of Crystallography -- Roger T. Steinberg, Del Mar College
• Stereo Diagrams -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Crystal Measurement and Axial Ratio Laboratory -- George R. McCormick , University of Iowa
• Construction of Crystal Models and Their Graphic Equivalents -- Francis Dudas, Old Dominion University
• A Fun and Effective Exercise for Understanding Lattices and Space Groups -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• From 2D to 3D: Escher Drawings, Crystallography, Crystal Chemistry, and Crystal "Defects" -- Peter Buseck, Arizona State University
• From 2D to 3D: II. TEM and AFM Images -- Peter Buseck, Arizona State University
• The Metrical Matrix in Teaching Mineralogy -- G. V. Gibbs, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Crystal Structures

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• Directed-Discovery of Crystal Structures Using Ball and Stick Models -- David W. Mogk, Montana State University
• Directed Discovery of Crystal Structures Using Computer Visualizations -- David Mogk and Kent Ratajeski, Montana State University
• Introduction to Crystal Structure: Bond Strength -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Introduction to Crystal Structures: Bond Strength (Pauling's Rule #2) -- Dexter Perkins , University of North Dakota
• Mineral Structure 2 -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Building Crystal Structure Ball Models Using Pre-Drilled Templates: Sheet Structures, Tridymite, and Cristobalite -- Kurt Hollocher, Union College
• Olivine Crystal Structure -- Kent Ratajeski, Montana State University
• Crystal Structures as Geobarometers -- Kent Ratajeski, Montana State University
• Color in Minerals -- M. Darby Dyar, West Chester University

Crystal Chemistry

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• Identifying Minerals with Chemical and Crystallographic Data -- Kent Ratajeski , Montana State University
• Reagents, Compositions, Weight Loss -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Calculating Wt%s and Normalizing Analyses -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Calculating Oxide Weight Percents from Formulae and Normalizing Chemical Analyses -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Plotting Compositions in 2-D and 3-D Spaces -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Calculating Compositional Variation and Common Substitutions for Igneous and Metamorphic Minerals -- David Mogk, Montana State University
• Introduction to the SEM/EDS or "Every Composition Tells a Story" -- John T Cheney and Peter D. Crowley, Amherst College
• Color in Minerals -- M. Darby Dyar, West Chester University

Phase Equilibria and Phase Diagrams

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• Phase Rule -- David W. Mogk, Montana State University
• Phase Diagrams (and Pseudosections) -- Compiled by Dexter Perkins (University of North Dakota) and John Brady (Smith College)
  • Binary Phase Diagrams
  • Ternary Phase Diagrams
  • Metamorphic P-T Diagrams
  • Metamorphic T-X Diagrams
  • Other Phase Diagrams
• What are Pseudosections? -- Dave Hirsch, Western Washington University, Julie Baldwin, University of Montana, and Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Plotting Mineral Compositions and Chemographic Projections -- John Brady (Smith College) and Cam Davidson (Carleton College)
• Thermodynamics -- Dexter Perkins (University of North Dakota), Andrea Koziol (University of Dayton), John Brady (Smith College)
  • Gibbs Free Energy and other Thermodynamic Functions -- Dexter Perkins (University of North Dakota), Andrea Koziol (University of Dayton), John Brady (Smith College)
  • Fundamental Thermodynamic Calculations -- Dexter Perkins (University of North Dakota), Andrea Koziol (University of Dayton), John Brady (Smith College)
• Clapeyron Equation -- Andrea Koziol (University of Dayton) and Dexter Perkins (University of North Dakota)
• Different Kinds of Reactions -- Dave Hirsch, Western Washington University
• Deriving and Balancing Metamorphic Reactions -- Dexter Perkins (University of North Dakota)
• Schreinemakers Method -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota and Dave Mogk, Montana State University
• Experimental Petrology -- Andrea Koziol, University of Dayton; Dex Perkins, University of North Dakota; John Brady, Smith College
  • Experimental Petrology Machines -- Andrea Koziol, University of Dayton
• Mineral Formulae Recalculation -- John Brady, Smith College and Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Activity Models -- Dex Perkins, University of North Dakota; Andrea Koziol, University of Dayton; and Dave Mogk, Montana State University
• "Classical" Thermobarometry -- Donna Whitney, University of Minnesota
• P-T-t Paths -- Donna Whitney, University of Minnesota
• Advanced Modeling Programs
  • MELTS -- Karl Wirth, Macalester College and Rachel Teasdale, California State University, Chico
  • Perplex -- Dave Hirsch, Western Washington University
  • THERMOCALC -- Julie Baldwin, University of Montana; Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota; and Dave Mogk, Montana State University
  • TWQ -- Cameron Davidson, Carleton College

Teaching Activities on Phase Equilibria and Phase Diagrams

• Phase Equilibria -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Plagioclase Phase Diagram -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Crystallization and Melting of Diopside - Anorthite -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Phase Diagrams in Vivo -- Erich U. Peterson, University of Utah
• Phase Diagrams -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Useful Phase Diagrams -- John Brady, Smith College
• Phase diagrams From Kitchen Chemistry -- John Brady, Smith College
• Binary Eutectic In-class Exercise (Di-An) -- Allen Glazner, Univ. North Carolina
• Constructing a Two Component Phase diagram Using Experimental Data in the Hypothetical System A-B -- R.K. Smith, Univ. Texas San Antonio
• Ternary System: Determination of Crystal-Liquid and Crystal-Crystal Proportions Using the Lever and Tangent Rules -- R.K. Smith, Univ. Texas San Antonio
• The use of visualization and sketches of thin sections to encourage a better understanding of phase diagrams: Binary and ternary phase diagram exercises -- Jennifer M. Wenner and Drew S. Coleman, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and University of North Carolina
• Calculating a Simple Phase Diagram: Diamond=Graphite -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota"

Experiments in Mineralogy

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• Making Solid Solutions with Alkali Halides (and Breaking Them) -- John B. Brady, Smith College
• Phase diagrams From Kitchen Chemistry -- John Brady, Smith College
• Crystallizing Minerals from Aqueous Solutions -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Synthetic Alkali Halides -- Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Experiments on Simple Binary Mineral Systems -- John D. Winter, Whitman College"
• Exercises in the Geochemical Kinetics of Mineral-Water Reactions: The Rate Law and Rate Determining Step in the Dissolution of Halite -- Michael A. Velbel, Michigan State University
• Crystal Growth Fast and Slow -- Peter J. Heaney, Princeton University
• Growing Crystals on a Microscope Stage -- Paul Sorensen and Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota
• Mineral Synthesis and X-Ray Diffraction Experiments -- Dexter Perkins and Paul Sorensen, University of North Dakota
• Heat Capacity of Minerals: A Hands-On Introduction to Chemical Thermodynamics -- David G. Bailey, Hamilton College
• Determination of Chemical Composition, State of Order, Molar Volume, and Density of a Monoclinic Alkali Feldspar Using X-Ray Diffraction -- Guy L. Hovis, Lafayette College
• Phase Fun With Feldspars: Simple Experiments to Change Chemical Composition, State of Order, and Crystal System -- Guy L. Hovis, Lafayette College"
• Phase Diagrams in Vivo -- Erich U. Peterson, University of Utah