Earth Materials II: Crystal chemistry and Mineral Systematics

This course focuses on a series of topics starting with the formation of minerals in the Earth and the various environments. The study of phase systems follows focusing on binary phase systems. The next topic is the classification of minerals in the categories: framework silicates, sheet silicates, Chain silicates, nesosilicates, cyclosilicates, sorosilicates, and non-silicate minerals. The chemistry physical and optical properties of the most significant-common minerals are studied.

Objectives

At the end of this course the student should be able to: 1. Know essential facts, concepts, principles and theories of mineralogy. 2. Recognise the minerals in thin sections. 3. Understand the dependence of the physical and optical properties of minerals, as well as their crystal habit from their chemistry. 4. Ability to adopt and apply methodology to the solution of unfamiliar problems. 5. Ability to interact with others on inter or multidisciplinary problems.

Prerequisites

General knowledge of Chemistry Earth Materials I

Syllabus

Formation of minerals in the Earth and the various environments. Binary phase systems. Classification of minerals. Framework silicates, sheet silicates, Chain silicates, nesosilicates, cyclosilicates, sorosilicates, some non-silicate minerals (carbonates, oxides). X-ray diffraction