In this free course, An introduction to minerals and rocks under the microscope, you will experience the study of minerals using a polarising microscope. While the study of minerals can involve electron or ion beam chemical analysis, the polarising microscope remains the prime tool for the study of rock thin sections and is the foundation of learning to recognise, characterise and identify rocks.
Course learning outcomes
After studying this course, you should be able to:
understand the facts, concepts, principles, theories, classification systems and language associated with minerals and rocks
use the essential terms, concepts and strategies of mineralogy
apply knowledge and understanding of the study of rock thin sections using a polarising microscope
work with and recognise a variety of minerals and microtextures in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks
make systematic descriptions and identifications of minerals in rocks, observing them using images of thin sections viewed under a polarising microscope, and deduce how and in what environments the minerals and rocks were formed.
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Natalie Webb - 9 August 2017 7:17pm
3.4.2 states One way to distinguish amphibole from pyroxene in thin section is by its roughly 60° (or 120°) cleavage in basal sections (Figure 46). Most often the cleavage is parallel and amphiboles have inclined extinction
However, earlier in the course it says when cleavage is parallel it is in straight/parallel extinction?
So far I've found the course really good. Some rotating images of molecular structures of minerals would be helpful to envisage the difference between chains and sheets etc. and to see where the ions are placed between them.
Natalie Webb - 9 August 2017 7:18pm
3.4.2 states One way to distinguish amphibole from pyroxene in thin section is by its roughly 60° (or 120°) cleavage in basal sections (Figure 46). Most often the cleavage is parallel and amphiboles have inclined extinction
However, earlier in the course it says when cleavage is parallel it is in straight/parallel extinction?
So far I've found the course really good. Some rotating images of molecular structures of minerals would be helpful to envisage the difference between chains and sheets etc. and to see where the ions are placed between them.
OpenLearn Moderator - 11 August 2017 11:10am
Hi Natalie,
Many thanks for letting us know - I've forwarded your comment onto the team.