Learning objectives
Mineralogy is designed to provide a deep knowledge of the main rocks minerals,
includine physical and chemical proprieties, in order to acheive a clear identification
and classification.
Prerequisites
The course Chemistry must have successfully completed.
Course unit content
Crystallography.
Crystal Chemistry.
Physical Properties of Minerals
Full programme
Mineral science. Definition of mineral. Translational symmetry: onedimensional,
didimensional (plane lattice) and tridimensional order (space lattice). Symmetry
elements: rotation, reflection, inversion, rotation with inversion, rotation with
reflection, rotation with translation and reflection with translation. Space groups.
Crystal classes. Crystal sistems. Steno’s and Hauy’s laws. Miller indexing of faces
and edges. The stereographic projection.
Crystalchemistry. The main elements of the earth crust. Cation radius and
coordination polyedra. Pauling’s rules. Crystal structures of the main rocks minerals.
Isomorphism. Compositional variation in minerals. Recalculation of chemical
analyses..Phase diagrams of geological interest, with one, two. three components.
Polymorphims.
Systematic description of rock-forming silicates.
Physical properties of minerals and relation with the structure.
Optical microscopy. Nature of light. Isotropic and anisotropic crystals. The polarizing
microscope. The optical indicatrix and its orientation in the different crystal
systems. Determination of the refractive index with the Becke line. Absorption and
pleochroism. Interference colors. Extinction angle. Sign of elongation Observation of
interference figures with convergent light. Determination of optic sign. Optical
properties of important rock-forming minerals.
Bibliography
Bonatti S., Franzini M., Cristallografia mineralogica, BORINGHIERI, Torino.
Carobbi G., ( Mazzi F., Bernardini G.P.), Fondamenti di cristallografia e ottica
cristallografica, USES, Firenze.
Carobbi G., ( Cipriani, C., Garavelli C.), Cristallografia chimica e mineralogia
speciale, USES, Firenze.
Deer W.A., Howie R.A., Zussman J., Introduzione ai Minerali che costituiscono le
Rocce, ZANICHELLI, Bologna..
Klein C., 2004. Mineralogia, Zanichelli, Bologna.
Mottana A., Crespi R., Liborio G., Minerali e rocce, MONDADORI, Milano
Teaching methods
Lessons and drill-lessons.
Assessment methods and criteria
Individual oral examination
