70727 - MINERALOGIA

Learning outcomes

The student will have a knowledge of the most important rock-forming minerals and of applicative interest in the field of conservation and restoration in Cultural Heritage.

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, magnetic and 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 for the analysis of minerals.
• Mineralogical optical microscopy.
  
• Scanning Electron Microscopy and EDS X-Ray Spectroscopy for the analysis of minerals.
• Application of some minerals to conservation and restoration in Cultural Heritage.

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
• Slides used during the lectures
  

Teaching methods

General and theoretical mineralogical aspects are explained during the lessons. The course includes practicals in class and in laboratory. The training has the aim to give the student practical tools to characterise the most common minerals. X-ray diffraction, mineralogical optical microscopy and SEM labs sessions will be used for the microstructural characterization of minerals.

Assessment methods

Oral examination

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 software.

Office hours

See the website of Gianfranco Ulian

See the website of Daniele Moro