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What methods do geologists use to determine the mineral composition of a rock?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
answ2. Simple visual inspection is always the first method.
For a tiny sample, a few mg of pure material, x-ray diffraction XRD.
If a small sample, (<1gm) x-ray fluorescence XRF in an electron microscope.
A larger sample <100 gm) x-ray fluorescence using a powder sample.
The above methods assume easy access to the equipments.
Thin section microscopy is a simple technique, but takes some time in sample preparation.
The determination would start with the visual inspection of the hand sample.
You will know what the origin of the rock is, and that gives clues to the cohort of minerals expected.
This would be followed by grinding the rock to sort out the particular minerals you are interested in.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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Is salt water a mineral?
No. a mineral is a compound of fixed chemical composition and of fixed crystal structure.
Is coprolite a mineral?
Coprolite is a valuable trace fossil for the archaeologist, but is NOT a mineral.A mineral must be of fixed composition, and have a fixed crystal shape.
How can minerals be identifed by their physical properties?
Yes
A minerals hardness with respect to other minerals can be determined by?
scratching the mineral acrros a glass plate
Which of these would be most likely to determine whether or not the deposit would be mined?
whether the cost of mining will be less than the value of the mineral
What test do geologists use to determine the hardness of a mineral?
the streak test
How did geologists determine the divisions of the geologic time scale?
Mainly abrupt changes in mineral layers or the fossils in them.
What types of geologists are there?
There are different types of geologists that study oil exploration, mineral exploration and mineral mining. There are also engineering geologists.
How geologists determine the mineral composition of granite?
The minerals are for the most part observable in a coarse grained igneous rock such as granite. If necessary, however, thin slices of rocks are made to be viewable under a microscope that could help identify trace minerals.
How do geologists determine the mineral compostion of granite?
They basically cut or slice the granite apart exposing the "real" minerals inside.
What is the chemical or mineral content of a rock based on?
The chemical composition must be determined by analytical methods.
How do geologists use rocks to prove the existence of oxygen in earths early atmosphere?
They look at the mineral composition of the rocks. There are some minerals that can only form in the presence of oxygen.
How are the characteristics of a mineral identified?
Through testing of a sample to determine hardness, luster, streak, density, and chemical composition.
What mineral composition?
Each known mineral has a specific chemical composition.
How do geologist determine the minersl composition if granite?
by observing it,we properties of different minerals,so by observing it we are able to know which mineral is which
What property of a mineral is determined by its chemical composition?
The color of a mineral sample is determined by its chemical composition
What is the mineral composition of evaporite?
Several minerals are evaporites, and therefore, there is not just one mineral composition but a different one for each mineral.
