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

This activity has been reviewed by 2 review processes

This activity was peer reviewed prior to publication in the Teaching Mineralogy Workbook.

This teaching activity was originally published in: Brady, J., Mogk, D. W., and Perkins, D., (editors), 1997, "Teaching Mineralogy," a workbook published by the Mineralogical Society of America, 406 pp. All teaching activities in this volume received two external peer reviews from mineralogy faculty focused on content and pedagogy, and a final review by the co-editors to comply with the publication standards of the Mineralogical Society of America.
This activity was selected for the On the Cutting Edge Reviewed Teaching Collection

This activity has received positive reviews in a peer review process involving five review categories. The five categories included in the process are
- Scientific Accuracy
- Alignment of Learning Goals, Activities, and Assessments
- Pedagogic Effectiveness
- Robustness (usability and dependability of all components)
- Completeness of the ActivitySheet web page
For more information about the peer review process itself, please see https://serc.carleton.edu/teachearth/activity_review.html.

This page first made public: May 9, 2008

Summary

This activity involves using XRD to determine the chemical composition, state of order, molar volume, and density of a monoclinic alkali feldspar.

Crystallography, Crystal Chemistry, Mineral Analysis, X-ray ...(more) | College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16)

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Context

Audience

This activity is designed for an undergraduate required course in mineralogy and is generally for sophomore or junior level students.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Students should have a basic understanding of how XRD works and what kinds of information it can provide. Students should also have a general understanding of feldspar chemistry and crystallography.

How the activity is situated in the course

his activity is a stand-alone exercise, but is part of a larger volume of classroom and laboratory activities from "Teaching Mineralogy," a workbook published by the Mineralogical Society of America, Brady, J., Mogk, D. W., and Perkins, D., (editors), 1997,406 pp.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Students will use XRD and XRD data output to better their understanding of mineral chemical composition, state of order, molar volume, and density of alkali feldspars.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Students further their ability to analyze data with this activity.

Other skills goals for this activity

This activity allows students to learn how to operate analytical equipment (XRD).

Description of the activity/assignment

This activity involves using XRD to determine the chemical composition, state of order, molar volume, and density of a monoclinic alkali feldspar.

Determining whether students have met the goals

Students have met the goals of this activity if they successfully and thoroughly answer the questions embedded in this laboratory exercise.

More information about assessment tools and techniques.

Teaching materials and tips

Other Materials

Assignment description, hand outs, and instructor's notes (Word doc). (Microsoft Word 52kB May9 08)

Assignment description, hand outs, and instructor's notes (PDF). (Acrobat (PDF) 3.9MB Jul30 08)

Supporting references/URLs

Brady, J., Mogk, D. W., and Perkins, D., (editors), 1997, Teaching Mineralogy, a workbook published by the Mineralogical Society of America, 406 pp.

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A more detailed reference list can be found within the downloads associated with this activity.

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