Brandon Schwab

Working with Electron Microprobe Data from a High Pressure Experiment - Calculating Mineral Formulas, Unit Cell Content, and Geothermometry part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
In this problem set students use electron microprobe analyses of a peridotite partial melting experiment to determine mineral formulas, calculate unit cell content, plot results on a classification diagram, and use a geothermometer. The exercise is especially suited for a spreadsheet like Excel, but can be done by hand. The bulk of the exercise involves data manipulation and simple calculations, but also includes some open-ended questions. The exercise is appropriate for mineralogy or petrology courses. The problem set helps students gain experience with a spreadsheet, manipulate and use quantitative chemical data, investigate the structure of mineral formulas, and see an application of phase equilibria in petrology.