Earth and Planetary Materials (300-0-01)
Instructors
Steven Dollard Jacobsen
847.467.1825
Tech F297
Office Hours: by appointment
Meeting Info
Technological Institute F285: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM
Overview of class
Course description: The Earth and planets are composed of minerals, rocks, melts, and fluids. Earth materials covers the materials science of these substances. The study of Earth materials is fundamental to Earth, environmental, and engineering sciences because it deals with formation, stability, environments, and properties of natural materials at all scales from the atomic to large-scale processes such as weathering and earthquakes. The physical properties of Earth materials are largely controlled by bonding and crystal structure. This course begins with an atomistic approach to understanding mineral properties, but then extends physical properties and mineral stability to the larger geological and planetary scales. The properties of minerals also dictate how we use them for societal applications, ranging from raw materials to energy sources, chemical filters, and storage materials. Mineralogy is the application of physics, chemistry, and biology to natural materials, and this course emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of mineralogy. Students will also gain knowledge about the analytical methods used to study minerals and their environments.
Registration Requirements
Recommended Background: At least one course in each of chemistry, physics, and math.
Learning Objectives
Learning Goals: In EARTH-300, our learning goals engage in the overarching imperatives that guide WCAS degree requirements: Observe, Critique, Reflect, and Express. Learning goals specific to this class include:
1. Attain familiarity with the basic structure of atoms, including their electronic structure, bonding characteristics, and arrangement in the periodic table.
2. Visualize crystal structures from the perspective of packing of spheres and coordination polyhedra. Students will become proficient at drawing and describing 3D atomic structures on their computers.
3. Learn the language of symmetry and how it is used to simplify description of the atomic arrangement in minerals and influences their physical properties.
4. Relate material properties, and how we use them in society, with atomic structure.
5. Become familiar with analytical techniques common within the mineral sciences, including electron microscopy, ion-beam methods, spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Students will carry out an experiment using Raman spectroscopy.
6. Identify ~30 of the most important rock-forming minerals and know their formulas or chemical classifications by heart.
7. Operate a polarizing-light optical microscope and use principles of optics to identify minerals and observe their textures in rocks.
8. Describe the environments of formation for minerals.
9. Gain an introduction to the field of petrology, the evolution of rocks.
10. Learn how to read a phase diagram to describe melting or crystallization.
11. Focus on technological aspects of minerals and how we use them in society.
12. Discuss how mineral sciences will contribute to the future low-carbon economy and climate change resilience.
Teaching Method
Lectures and one 2-hour lab.
Evaluation Method
Midterm exam, final exam, laboratory assignments, homework, and final presentation.
Class Materials (Required)
Free online mineralogy textbook located here:
https://opengeology.org/Mineralogy/
Overview of class
The Earth and planets are composed of minerals, rocks, melts, and fluids. The study of Earth materials is fundamental to Earth and environmental sciences and deals with formation, stability, environments, and properties of materials that control large-scale processes from weathering to earthquakes. The physical properties of Earth materials are largely controlled by bonding and crystal structure. This course begins with an atomistic approach to understanding mineral properties, but also extends physical properties and mineral stability to the larger geological and planetary scales. The properties of minerals also dictate how we use them for societal applications, ranging from raw materials to chemical filters and energy sources and storage materials. Mineralogy is the application of physics, chemistry, and biology to natural materials, and this course emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of mineralogy. Students will gain skills in learning to identify the major rock-forming minerals in hand-specimen and in the optical microscope. Students will apply analytical techniques including X-ray diffraction and optical spectroscopy to quantitative analysis of minerals.
Registration Requirements
Recommended Background: At least one course in each of chemistry, physics, and math.
Learning Objectives
Skills: Students will become proficient with optical microscopes, learn to identify about 50 of the most important rock-forming minerals in hand specimen and under the optical microscope, use computer software to visualize crystal structures, and use a Raman spectrometer and X-ray diffractometer in the Mineral Physics Laboratory during hands-on laboratory exercises.
Teaching Method
Lectures and one 2-hour lab.
Evaluation Method
Midterm exam, final exam, laboratory assignments, homework, and final presentation.
Class Materials (Required)
Free online mineralogy textbook located here:
https://opengeology.org/Mineralogy/
Class Attributes
Natural Sciences Distro Area
SDG Responsible Consumption
Associated Classes
LAB - Technological Institute F391: Wed 11:00AM - 12:50PM
LAB - Technological Institute F391: Wed 2:00PM - 3:50PM