- Docente: Giovanni Valdrè
- Credits: 8
- SSD: GEO/06
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Natural Sciences (cod. 8016)
Learning outcomes
The studentwill have a knowledge of the most important rock-forming minerals and of those less common or rare but of economic or applicative interest.
Course contents
Definition of mineral. Crystal morphology: crystallographic
axes, crystal classes and systems. Internal order of crystals:
three dimensional lattices, illustration of crystal
structures.
Crystal chemistry: coordination principle, polymorphism and
isomorphism with examples. Physical properties: cleavage, hardness,
colour, luster, specific gravity, electrical, magneticand
optical properties. Short accounts on minerogenetic processes.
Mineral classification and in particular the rock-forming minerals.
Exercises and laboratory on external forms and optical properties
of the most common minerals.
X-ray diffraction methodologies, Bragg's equation, X-ray powder
diffractometry. Scanning Electron Microscopy and EDS X-Ray
Spectroscopy.
Application of some minerals to biology and environmental and
structural fields (phosphates, carbonates and phyllosilicates).
Readings/Bibliography
- C. Klein. Mineralogia. Ia edizione italiana. Zanichelli,
Bologna, 2004
- A. Mottana, R. Crespi, G. Liborio. Minerali e rocce.
Mondadori
-G.Valdrè, U.Valdrè. Misure e Complementi di Fisica, CLUEB Bologna
-A.Putnis, Introduction to Mineral Science, Cambridge University
Press.
-Lecture transparencies.
Teaching methods
General and theoretical mineralogical aspects are explained during the lessons. The course includes practicals in class and in laboratory. The traininghas the aim to give the studentpractical toolsto characterise the most common minerals. X-ray diffraction and SEM labs sessions will be used for the microstructural characterization of minerals.
Assessment methods
Oral examination. Written examination may be envisaged.
Teaching tools
PC-laptop and overhead projector; models of crystal lattices for the study of the internal order and structure; natural samples for macroscopic identification of the most common minerals, X-ray and optical laboratories, Scanning Electron Microscopy; mineral identification sotware.
Links to further information
http://www.unibo.it/SitoWebDocente/default.htm?UPN=giovanni.valdre%40unibo.it
Office hours
See the website of Giovanni Valdrè