undefined
Course Contents
Course Title : Optical Mineralogy
Coarse Number: ERSCI 3002
Credit Hours: 3 ( 2 Theoretical, 1 Practical)
Instructor: Prof. Dr. Sobhi Nasir
Objectives: The aim of this coarse is to study the optical properties of the rock forming minerals using the polarized light microscope. This will be of a great help during the study of igenous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. The students will gain the basic knowlege needed as well as the capability of data analysis and interpretation through lectures, reports, assignments and training on instrumentations and techniques and will be tought the scientific way of thinking and tackling problems.
Text Book:
Optical Mineralogy: Principles and Practice. Gribble, F., & Hall, A., 1992. UCL Press, 302pp.
Major References:
3- Student Guidebook for the minerals under the Microscope. Nasir, S., 1997. Colored Manual of Minerals under the Microscope.
Educational Facilities:
1- Transparency and slides
2- Computer: A software under the title "MINOPTIC" has been prepared to be used by the students.
3- Video Films: G27/VT: Minerals under the Microscope.,
P87/F: Polarization of light.
4- Training on thin section preparation: Include identification and reporting
5- Group teaching and lecturing by the students.
Evaluation Strategy:
1- Term Activities: 45 % of the Total and includes:
10% Quizzes, 10% Activities, 25% Laboratory , 2- Mid-Term Examination: 20 % of the Total. 3- Fina Examination: 35 % of the Total
Coarse Contents:
Part One: Mineral Optics
1- Introduction: ( 3 lectures)
- Theories of light: Wave theory, speed of light, Wave motion, Color of light. - Refraction: Snell's law, Index of refraction, Dispersion, Critical angle, Total reflection, Determination of indices of refraction by refractometer, prism and with the microscope
2- The Polarizing Microscope: ( 2 lectures)
General feature, types, optical system, parts, precaution
and adjustments, orthoscopy and conoscopy.
3- Mineral Preparations for Microscopic Study: ( 1 lecture)
Types of preparation, Material used, cutting and polishing.
4- Optical Mineralogy in Ordinary light: ( 3 lectures)
Color, Shape, Form, Cleavage, Fracture, Inclusions, Index of
refraction.
5- Optical Mineralogy in Plane Polarized light: ( 3 lectures)
Double refraction, Polaroid and Nicol Prism, Pleochroism, Ordinary
and Extraordinary rayes, Isotropic and anisotropic minerals, Twinkling.
6- Optical Mineralogy in Crossed-polarized light: ( 3 lectures)
Interference of waves, Extinction, Interference colors, Anomuleous
interference colors, Newton's scale of colors, Twinning, Zonning,
Accessory plates, elongation, vibration planes.
7- Conoscopic Microscopy: ( 3 lectures)
Indicatrix, Types of interference figures, Uniaxial minerals,
Biaxial minerals, Optic sign, 2-V angles, Optical orientation,
dispersion of biaxial minerals.
Part Two: Applications and Mineral Descriptions
(10 lectures)
8- Silicates:
Tecto-silicates: Silica group, Feldspar groups, Feldspathoid
Chain-silicates: Pyroxene group, Amphibole group
Soro-silicates: Epidote group
Ring-Silicates: Tourmaline, Beryl
Neso-Silictaes: Olivine group, Garnet group, Al2SiO5-group, stuarolite
Sheet-silicates: Mica-group (Muscovite, biotite, talc), chlorite group - Carbonate, Sulfates, Phosphate (apatite), Opaque minerals, spinel, rutile.
Minerals under the microscope
Click to download your course Links to Optical Mineralogy
Optical Mineralogy online
Optical Mineralogy course
Optical Mineralogy at Idaho University
Optical Mineralogy at Brok University
Minerals under the microscope
Links to Mineralogist
Links to Mineralogical Institutes
images of minerals
Minerals in thin sections
Amercian Geoscience Departments
Yahoo search for Optical Mineralogy
