Introduction to Geology Lab 101L
Instructor: Dr. Eric Hovanitz
Phone: (714) 628-4747
E-mail: hovanitz_eric@sccollege.edu
Web page: http://www.hovanitz.com
Office: SC-217
Time: Thursday 1:35 – 4:45 PM(if break taken)
Time: Thursday 1:35 – 4:45 PM(if break taken)
Room: SC-206
Division: Mathematics & Sciences, SC-210
Contact hours: 11:50-1:20 PM
Tuesday 11:50-1:20 PM
Wednesday 11:50-1:20 PM
Thursday
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 and
SCC Introduction to Geology Laboratory, Eric Hovanitz
Exams and Grading:
Grade weighting:
Labs
Prelab quizzes
Final Exam
Total
75%
10%
15%
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
Labs
Labs 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 101L
Exams
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 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 Solid
No gases or liquids allowed.
Must Be Naturally Occurring
Not artificial. Sapphire boules.
Must Be Inorganically Formed
Not formed through an organic process.
Fossilization recrystallizes teeth into minerals.
Orderly Internal Arrangement of Atoms
Crystalline structure.
A random arrangement of atoms is a glass like obsidian.
Change the Arrangement
If you change the arrangement of atoms, you change
the mineral.
Diamond
Graphite
Definite 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 Mine
Mineral Examples
Is an icicle hanging on a tree a mineral?
Solid? Natural? Inorganically formed? Crystalline?
Chemical formula?
Physical and Chemical Properties
Color
Streak
Luster
Hardness
Breakage
Habit
Special Properties
Magnetism
Double refraction
Reaction with acid
Smell
Physical 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 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 Properties
Luster—the way (or quality) of reflected light.
Metallic luster looks like a metal.
Non-metallic lusters
Adamantine
Vitreous
Silky
Pearly
Oily
Greasy
Earthy
Dull
Physical and Chemical Properties
Hardness—the resistance to scratching.
Mohs hardness scale
Diamond
Corundum
Topaz
Quartz
Orthoclase feldspar
Apatite
Fluorite
Calcite
Gypsum
Talc
Physical 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 Properties
Habit—the shape of a mineral that grows into an
opening in a rock.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Special Properties
Magnetism
Reaction with acid
Double refraction
Smell
Taste