Geochemistry uses the tools and principles of chemistry to explain the mechanisms behind geological systems. In the first half of this course, students learn basic methods of mineral separation, density measurement of rock-forming minerals and saline solution, and crystallography analysis. In the second half, students learn chemical analysis of bulk-rock and rock-forming mineral.
The goals are to learn methods for
1) obtaning basic physico-chemical parameters used in geoscience (e.g., rock composition, mineral density) from natural rock sampls,
2) dealing with physico-chemical parameters to understand geological systems.
geochemistry; rock composition; mineral density; X-ray diffraction; crystallographic structure
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
To be announced in the class
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | rock pulverization, mineral separation | To be announced in the class (rock-forming minerals, mineral separation, modal compositions) |
Class 2 | Density measurement of rock-forming minerals by densimeter | To be announced in the class (Principles of mineral density measurement) |
Class 3 | X-ray diffraction analysis by XRD | To be announced in the class (Principles of X-ray deflection analysis) |
Class 4 | Density measurement of saline solution using pycnometer method | To be announced in the class (Molar volume of saline solution) |
Class 5 | Acid digestion of rocks and minerals | To be announced in the class (Fusion method of rocks and minerals) |
Class 6 | Sample preparation of digested rock/mineral samples | To be announced in the class (Acid digestion method of rocks and minerals) |
Class 7 | Determination of silica contents in rocks/minerals | To be announced in the class (Principles of wet chemical analysis of rocks and minerals) |
Class 8 | Determination of major element contents (except for Si) in rocks/minerals | To be announced in the class (Principles of ICP-MS analysis) |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend a certain length of time outside of class on preparation and review (including for assignments), as specified by the Tokyo Institute of Technology Rules on Undergraduate Learning (東京工業大学学修規程) and the Tokyo Institute of Technology Rules on Graduate Learning (東京工業大学大学院学修規程), for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Experiment manual and text are provided before the 1st day of the class.
See Japanese texts listed above.
Check the student's comprehension by
1) lab note filed each after the class,
2) final report after the course of this class.
n/a