Mineral composition using XRF (EDS or microprobe)

Wendy Panero

Ohio State University

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

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Initial Publication Date: July 16, 2009 | Reviewed: November 2, 2013 (see revision history: 2 events)

Summary

At the end of this exercise you will be able to calculate chemical formula of a mineral based on weight percent oxides, and evaluate the extent of solid solution between end member compositions.

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

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Context

Audience

Undergraduate mineralogy

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Prelab: Calculation of wt% oxides.

How the activity is situated in the course

Part of a sequence of exercises exploring the crystal chemistry of solid solutions.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Determining the chemical composition of samples.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Observation of solid solutions in multicomponent systems

Other skills goals for this activity

Use of analytical equipment.

Description of the activity/assignment

At the end of this exercise you will be able to calculate chemical formula of a mineral based on weight percent oxides, and evaluate the extent of solid solution between end member compositions.