Properties of Minerals and Intro to Polarizing Microscopes

Dexter Perkins

University of North Dakota

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Initial Publication Date: August 7, 2006 | Reviewed: October 18, 2012 (see revision history: 2 events)

Summary

This exercise continues the study of the physical properties of minerals and introduces petrographic microscopes.

Optical Mineralogy, Physical Properties, Mineralogy | College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16)

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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 and be able to identify minerals based on their physical properties.

How the activity is situated in the course

This activity is the 5th of 36 mineralogy exercises and is used towards the beginning of the course after learning how to identify minerals based on their physical properties.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Become more familiar with mineral properties.
Become familiar with the basic components of a petrographic microscope and the most important mineral optical properties.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Other skills goals for this activity

Gain confidence in using technical equipment such as petrographic microscopes.

Description of the activity/assignment

This three-part exercise continues the study of minerals' physical properties and introduces petrographic microscopes. In part one, students identify minerals using a given list of minerals. In part two, students their text and newly aquired mineral identification skills to identify unknown minerals. In part three, students are introduced to the petrographic microscope and answer several related questions.