Rb-Sr isotope in-class exercise
Allen Glazner
, Univ. of North Carolina
This activity is part of the On the Cutting Edge Peer Reviewed Teaching Activities collection.
HideSummary
This set of problems involves calculations of changes in radiogenic isotope ratios. It requires students to understand the concept of an isochron and how isotope ratios change (or do not change) during magma mixing and crystal fractionation.
Context
Audience
This activity would be used in an undergraduate (sophomore or junior level) required course in petrology.
Skills and concepts that students must have mastered
This activity requires students to understand the concept of an isochron and isotope ratios.
How the activity is situated in the course
This is a stand-alone exercise.
Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity
This activity helps students to understand the concept of an isochron and how isotope ratios change (or do not change) during magma mixing and crystal fractionation.
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
This activity involves the analysis of data.
Other skills goals for this activity
Description of the activity/assignment
This set of problems involves calculations of changes in radiogenic isotope ratios. It requires students to understand the concept of an isochron and how isotope ratios change (or do not change) during magma mixing and crystal fractionation.
Determining whether students have met the goals
Students have met the goals of this activity if they thoroughly and accurately answer the questions provided in the activity download (see below).
More information about assessment tools and techniques.Teaching materials and tips
Other Materials
- In-class exercises (4 problems) (Acrobat (PDF) 15kB Jun26 03)
