Course Contents
Course Title : Optical Mineralogy
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:
Major References:
Educational Facilities:
Evaluation Strategy:
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)
3- Mineral Preparations for Microscopic Study: ( 1 lecture)
4- Optical Mineralogy in Ordinary light: ( 3 lectures)
5- Optical Mineralogy in Plane Polarized light: ( 3 lectures)
6- Optical Mineralogy in Crossed-polarized light: ( 3 lectures)
7- Conoscopic Microscopy: ( 3 lectures)
Part Two: Applications and Mineral Descriptions
(10 lectures)
Minerals under the microscope
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Optical Mineralogy online
Coarse Number: ERSCI 3002
Credit Hours: 3 ( 2 Theoretical, 1 Practical)
Instructor: Prof. Dr. Sobhi Nasir
Optical Mineralogy: Principles and Practice. Gribble, F., & Hall, A., 1992. UCL Press, 302pp.
3- Student Guidebook for the minerals under the Microscope. Nasir, S., 1997. Colored Manual of Minerals under the Microscope.
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.
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
General feature, types, optical system, parts, precaution
and adjustments, orthoscopy and conoscopy.
Types of preparation, Material used, cutting and polishing.
Color, Shape, Form, Cleavage, Fracture, Inclusions, Index of
refraction.
Double refraction, Polaroid and Nicol Prism, Pleochroism, Ordinary
and Extraordinary rayes, Isotropic and anisotropic minerals, Twinkling.
Interference of waves, Extinction, Interference colors, Anomuleous
interference colors, Newton's scale of colors, Twinning, Zonning,
Accessory plates, elongation, vibration planes.
Indicatrix, Types of interference figures, Uniaxial minerals,
Biaxial minerals, Optic sign, 2-V angles, Optical orientation,
dispersion of biaxial minerals.
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.
Optical Mineralogy course
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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
