EARTH MATERIALS (ERTH 2330)

fall term, 2009

general description and expectations text exams and grading Fall 2009 syllabus Fall 2009 calendar handouts homework and exercises reading

Meeting time:   lecture -- TF 12:00-1:50                            lab --        F 2:00-3:50 Place:                 Science Center 3W13     Instructor:         E.B. Watson                                       Office: 1C31 J-ROWL                                       Phone:  8838                                       e-mail:  watsoe@rpi.edu                                       office hours:  Tues. 2:00-3:00     TA:                     Karen Merrill                                       Office:  316 MRC                                       Phone:  3732                                       e-mail:  merrik2@rpi.edu                                       office hours:  Mon. 11:00-12:00                                                              Tues. 2:0 -3:00                                                              Wed. 9:00-10:00

GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION

Overview of the chemical and physical properties of the material constituents of the Earth and terrestrial planets, including minerals, rocks, lavas, and supercritical water.  Topics include mineral structure and composition, bonding, optical properties, x-ray diffraction, phase transformations, and surface properties.  The role of minerals in the man-made environment is also discussed as appropriate.

Expected and useful background

There are no specific prerequisites for this course, but students who have taken introductory chemistry and/or geology will be familiar with many of the concepts discussed, and will find the going easier.  No background in geology is assumed, but competence in basic chemistry is expected (some review will be provided where appropriate).  The course is not mathematically intensive, but an appreciation of the fundamentals of calculus is important.

Specific topics covered (not necessarily in order listed)

Ÿ properties of solids in historical and modern context

Ÿ symmetry in relation to crystal morphology

Ÿ symmetry in relation to atomic structure

Ÿ x-ray diffraction

Ÿ nature of the atom; ionization; interatomic forces and bonding

Ÿ energy of crystals and crystal aggregates

Ÿ physical properties of minerals; anisotropy

Ÿ effects of pressure and temperature on mineral stability; equation of state

Ÿ mineral chemistry and its relation to mineral structure and stability

Ÿ descriptive mineralogy of rock-forming minerals; mineral associations

Ÿ optical properties; minerals in thin section

Ÿ nature of mineral surfaces; surface- and interfacial energy

Ÿ mineral solubility; processes and properties of the mineral/water interface

Ÿ pressure-volume-temperature relation of H₂O in the Earth

Course outcomes

Students who complete this course will have: 1) an understanding of the relation between atomic structure and properties of naturally-occurring solids; 2) an appreciation for the physicochemical principles that govern the composition and occurrence of these materials; and 3) the ability to recognize the major rock-forming minerals in the laboratory and in the field, and to develop reasonable hypotheses concerning their formation.

TEXT

Minerals: Their Constitution and Origin by H.-R. Wenk and A. Bulakh.  We will not follow this text exactly on a week-by-week basis, but having access to a copy will be essential for reviewing concepts introduced in class, as well as for supplementary reading.

EXAMS and GRADING

There will be three (3) exams during the semester: Oct. 2, Nov. 6, and Dec. 11 (see calendar).  The last exam will focus on material from the final third of the course, but will include extra-credit questions drawn from the entire semester.  Two of the exams will count 30% each toward your final grade, the third will count 15%, for a total of 75% (the 15% weight will be assigned to your lowest score).  The remaining 25% will come from homework assignments and lab/recitation exercises.  Grades can be appealed in person or in writing, initially to the to the individual who graded the exam or homework exercise in question (usually the TA).  Prof. Watson will make final decisions on specific unresolvable issues related to grading.  Please see the 'late homework' policy below.

COURSE DETAILS for 2009

The syllabus below is a reasonable estimate of how the course will develop over the term.  Deviations may arise if additional time is needed on specific topics. 

Sept.       1     Overview of Earth; States of Matter; States of Earth Materials

HOMEWORK and in-class EXERCISES

  HW 1 (due Sept. 18)      X-ray lab (Sept. 22)      X-ray lab supplement (Sept. 22)      HW 2 (due Oct. 20)      HW 3 (due Nov. 10)

Homework late policy

READING assignments

week of September 1:  Chapter 2 of text.

week of September 8:  Chapter 3 of text.