Phase Equilibria

Dexter Perkins

University of North Dakota

This activity is part of the On the Cutting Edge Peer Reviewed Teaching Activities collection. (view details)

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

Summary

This is a short exercise that introduces basic thermodynamics.

Phase Equilibria/Thermodynamics, 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.

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.