Introduction to Geology Lab 101LInstructor: Dr. Eric Hovanitz

Phone: (714) 628-4747 E-mail: hovanitz_eric@sccollege.eduWeb page: http://www.hovanitz.com

Office: SC-217Time: Thursday 1:35 – 4:45 PM(if break taken)Time: Thursday 1:35 – 4:45 PM(if break taken)Room: SC-206Division: Mathematics & Sciences, SC-210Contact hours: 11:50-1:20 PMTuesday 11:50-1:20 PMWednesday 11:50-1:20 PMThursday 11:50-1:20 PM

By appointment. I have an “open door” policy; if my office is open and I’m in my office, please stop in and say “hi”.

Introduction to Geology Lab 101L

Textbook: Your lecture textbook andSCC Introduction to Geology Laboratory, Eric

Hovanitz

Exams and Grading:

Grade weighting:Labs 75%Prelab quizzes 10%Final Exam 15%Total 100%

Introduction to Geology Lab 101L

Grading is based on a grading scale of: Grade Percentage A 100-90 B 90-80 C 80-70 D 70-60 F <60

Introduction to Geology Lab 101L 

LabsLabs are to be completed in class. There are no take-home labs. Because of the equipment and supplies involved, make-up labs are only given under extenuating circumstances, and normal require prior approval by the instructor.

Introduction to Geology Lab 101LExams

There is a final exam in this class. The lab final serves as a make-up lab. It counts the same as a lab and is averaged with them to calculate your grade. If you miss a lab, the grade on your final will be the make-up grade for the missed lab. If you have missed no labs, the lab final grade may replace the lowest lab grade. The lab final exam is a lab practical. Because of the equipment and supplies involved, make-up lab finals are only given under extremely extenuating circumstances, and normally require prior approval by the instructor.

Introduction to Geology Lab 101L Attendance: School policy states that you may be dropped from this class if you have 2 unexcused absences. If you have a valid excuse and wish to have an absence excused, you must notify me by phone or note on or before the day you miss. Do Not drop a class by stopping attendance. You will likely end up receiving an “F” if you do so. If you intend to drop, please complete the formal drop procedure through the Admissions Office. Poor attendance usually results in a poor grade.

Introduction to Geology Lab 101L Accommodations for Disabilities: Students with disabilities who want to request academic accommodations are responsible for informing their instructors and Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) as early in the semester as possible, or at least two weeks before the accommodation is needed. To have accommodations authorized, students must provide DSPS with verification of disability and meet with a DSPS professional for an evaluation of needs. Students may schedule a DSPS appointment by coming to the DSPS Office in E-105, by phoning us at (714) 628-4860 or by emailing us at DSPS@sccollege.edu.

Introduction to Geology Lab 101L Tentative Lab Schedule

Mineral DefinitionMineral Definition

To learn about rocks we must study minerals.

Minerals have the following definition:

1.Must be solid.

2.Must be naturally occurring.

3.Must be inorganically formed.

4.Must have an orderly internal arrangement of atoms. A crystalline structure.

5.Must have a definite chemical composition written as a formula.

Must be SolidMust be Solid

No gases or liquids allowed.

Must Be Naturally OccurringMust Be Naturally Occurring

Not artificial. Sapphire boules.

Must Be Inorganically FormedMust Be Inorganically Formed

Not formed through an organic process.

Fossilization recrystallizes teeth into minerals.

Orderly Internal Arrangement of Orderly Internal Arrangement of AtomsAtoms

Crystalline structure.

A random arrangement of atoms is a glass like obsidian.

Change the ArrangementChange the Arrangement

If you change the arrangement of atoms, you change the mineral.

Diamond Graphite

Definite Chemical CompositionDefinite Chemical Composition

Must be able to write the chemical composition as a formula

Halite : Sodium chloride = NaCl

Olivine: Magnesium Ferrous Silicate = (Mg, Fe)2SiO4.

If the chemistry is changed the mineral is changed.

Sylvite vs. Sylvanite KCl vs. AgAuTe4

Camp Verde Salt MineCamp Verde Salt Mine

Mineral ExamplesMineral Examples

Is an icicle hanging on a tree a mineral? 

Solid? Natural? Inorganically formed? Crystalline?Chemical formula?

Physical and Chemical PropertiesPhysical and Chemical Properties

ColorStreakLusterHardnessBreakageHabitSpecial Properties

MagnetismDouble refractionReaction with acidSmell

Physical and Chemical PropertiesPhysical and Chemical Properties

Color—the most obvious and sometimes useful.

Controlled mostly by the transition elements of the periodic table.

Iron is the element impurity that colors most minerals since it is quite abundant.

Physical and Chemical PropertiesPhysical and Chemical Properties

Streak—the color of a mineral’s powder.

Not always the same as the mineral color.

Not running through a classroom without clothes.

Physical and Chemical PropertiesPhysical and Chemical Properties

Luster—the way (or quality) of reflected light.

Metallic luster looks like a metal.Non-metallic lusters

AdamantineVitreousSilkyPearlyOilyGreasyEarthyDull

Physical and Chemical PropertiesPhysical and Chemical Properties

Hardness—the resistance to scratching.

Mohs hardness scaleDiamondCorundumTopazQuartzOrthoclase feldsparApatiteFluoriteCalciteGypsumTalc

Physical and Chemical PropertiesPhysical and Chemical Properties

Breakage

Cleavage: A break along a plane of chemical bonds

Conchoidal fracture: A continuously curving break

Fracture: An irregular break

Physical and Chemical PropertiesPhysical and Chemical Properties

Habit—the shape of a mineral that grows into an opening in a rock. 

Physical and Chemical PropertiesPhysical and Chemical Properties

 Special Properties

MagnetismReaction with acidDouble refractionSmellTaste