GEOL 2126EL

This course provides an introduction to the crystallography of minerals emphasizing external morphology: symmetry elements, crystallographic axes, crystal systems, Miller indices, simple stereograms and crystal classes. Topics include the physical and chemical properties of minerals and how these properties are related to internal structure; packing of atoms, radius ratios and atomic coordination; derivation of chemical formulae from chemical analyses; atomic bonds and their relationship to mineral composition and structure; and unary and binary phase diagrams. The course involves systematic discussion of crystal chemistry and occurrence of main mineral groups. Laboratory work involves hand specimen examination of major mineral groups identification using crystallographic, physical and chemical properties. PREREQ: GEOL 1006/7. (lec 3, lab 3) cr 3.