Simple Eutectic Exercise: Diopside-Anorthite

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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Scientific Accuracy
Alignment of Learning Goals, Activities, and Assessments
Pedagogic Effectiveness
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Initial Publication Date: June 9, 2008 | Reviewed: October 19, 2012 (see revision history: 2 events)

Summary

This exercise can be done in-class (I use it as a group activity) or as homework. It is a quick way to get students to figure out how to use and interpret simple eutectic diagrams.

Igneous Processes, Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibria, Geology | College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16)

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Context

Audience

This exercise is designed for a sophomore or junior level required undergraduate course in petrology.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Students should have a basic understanding of how to use a eutectic diagram.

How the activity is situated in the course

This activity is a stand-alone exercise.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

The goals of this activity are to have students use and interpret simple eutectic diagrams.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

This activity involves data analysis.

Other skills goals for this activity

Description of the activity/assignment

This is a short exercise that tests student's knowledge of interpreting eutectic diagrams. The handout provides diagrams with questions to test students' comprehension of the diagrams.