Optical Mineralogy Paul F Kerr.pdf !!better!! -

Introduction

  1. Mineral Identification: Optical mineralogy is used to identify minerals in rocks, soils, and sediments.
  2. Petrology: The study of the optical properties of minerals helps petrologists understand the origin and evolution of rocks.
  3. Geology: Optical mineralogy is used in geological mapping, structural geology, and economic geology.
  1. Polarizing Microscope: The author describes the components and operation of the polarizing microscope, including the use of polarizers, analyzers, and compensators.
  2. Sample Preparation: Kerr provides guidance on preparing mineral samples for optical study, including thin sectioning, polishing, and mounting.

Pedagogical Accessibility

  1. Print the interference chart: Find a high-resolution version of the Kerr-Michel-Levy chart from the PDF and print it in color. Tape it to your microscope.
  2. Master Chapter 4 (The Microscope): Kerr spends 15 pages on centering the objective and focusing the Bertrand lens. If you skip this, the rest of the book is useless.
  3. Work the "Unknowns" backwards: Start at the back of the PDF with the list of mineral properties, then find that mineral in the main text. This reverse lookup is what Kerr intended.
  4. Ignore the outdated chemical formulas: Kerr wrote before the IMA (International Mineralogical Association) standardized nomenclature. For example, his "Limonite" is now called "Goethite." Use the PDF for optics, not geochemistry.