Study mineral composition and properties
299
Sub Topics
850
MCQs
449
MCOs
607
True/False
354
Fill Blanks
119
Rearrange
359
Matching
192
Comprehensions
337
Flashcard Decks
Curriculum
What You'll Learn
01 Introduction to Mineralogy 3 topics
1 Introduction and History of Mineralogy
- Early mineral use and knowledge
- Development of mineralogy as a science
- Major contributors to mineralogical research
2 Definition and Scope of Mineralogy
- What is a mineral?
- Relationship to other sciences
- Applied mineralogy in modern society
3 Importance of Minerals
- Economic significance
- Scientific significance
- Environmental significance
02 Crystallography 5 topics
1 Fundamentals of Crystal Structure
- Crystal definition
- Unit cells
- Crystalline vs. amorphous materials
2 Crystal Systems
- Cubic
- Tetragonal
- Orthorhombic
- Monoclinic
- Triclinic
- Hexagonal
- Trigonal
3 Crystal Symmetry
- Elements of symmetry
- Point groups
- Space groups
4 Crystal Growth and Morphology
- Growth mechanisms
- Crystal habits
- Twinning
- Epitaxy and intergrowth
5 X-ray Crystallography
- Principles of X-ray diffraction
- X-ray diffraction techniques
- Structure determination
- Powder diffraction methods
03 Mineral Chemistry 5 topics
1 Atomic Structure and Bonding
- Electronic configuration
- Ionic bonding
- Covalent bonding
- Metallic bonding
- Van der Waals forces
- Hydrogen bonding
2 Chemical Composition
- Essential elements
- Trace elements
- Solid solutions
- Isomorphism and polymorphism
3 Mineral Formulas
- Calculation methods
- Structural formulas
- Empirical formulas
4 Coordination Chemistry in Minerals
- Coordination number
- Coordination polyhedra
- Radius ratio rule
5 Substitution in Mineral Structures
- Isomorphous substitution
- Diadochy
- Ordering and disordering
04 Physical Properties of Minerals 6 topics
1 Optical Properties
- Color and pleochroism
- Luster
- Transparency
- Refractive index
- Birefringence
- Optical indicatrix
2 Mechanical Properties
- Hardness (Mohs scale)
- Tenacity
- Cleavage
- Fracture
- Specific gravity/density
3 Electrical Properties
- Conductivity
- Piezoelectricity
- Pyroelectricity
4 Magnetic Properties
- Paramagnetism
- Diamagnetism
- Ferromagnetism
- Magnetic susceptibility
5 Thermal Properties
- Thermal conductivity
- Heat capacity
- Thermal expansion
6 Special Properties
- Radioactivity
- Fluorescence and phosphorescence
- Chatoyancy and asterism
05 Mineral Identification 3 topics
1 Hand Sample Identification
- Visual examination
- Physical tests
- Field identification methods
2 Optical Microscopy
- Thin section preparation
- Polarized light microscopy
- Mineral identification under the microscope
3 Advanced Analytical Techniques
- X-ray diffraction (XRD)
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
- Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA)
- Raman spectroscopy
- Infrared spectroscopy
- Mass spectrometry
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
06 Mineral Classification 3 topics
1 Principles of Classification
- Historical classification systems
- Modern classification systems
2 Dana Classification System
- Native elements
- Sulfides
- Oxides and hydroxides
- Halides
- Carbonates
- Nitrates
- Borates
- Sulfates
- Phosphates
- Silicates
- Organic minerals
3 Strunz Classification
- Elements
- Sulfides and sulfosalts
- Halides
- Oxides and hydroxides
- Carbonates and nitrates
- Borates
- Sulfates, chromates, molybdates, tungstates
- Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
- Silicates
- Organic compounds
07 Silicate Minerals 7 topics
1 Structure of Silicates
- The silicon-oxygen tetrahedron
- Polymerization of silicon tetrahedra
2 Nesosilicates
- Olivine group
- Garnet group
- Zircon
- Al₂SiO₅ polymorphs
3 Sorosilicates
- Epidote group
- Melilite group
- Vesuvianite
4 Cyclosilicates
- Beryl
- Tourmaline group
- Cordierite
5 Inosilicates
- Pyroxene group
- Amphibole group
6 Phyllosilicates
- Clay minerals
- Mica group
- Chlorite group
- Serpentine group
- Talc and pyrophyllite
7 Tectosilicates
- Quartz and silica minerals
- Feldspar group
- Feldspathoid group
- Zeolite group
08 Non-Silicate Minerals 8 topics
1 Native Elements
- Metals
- Semimetals
- Non-metals
2 Sulfides and Sulfosalts
- Simple sulfides
- Complex sulfides
- Sulfosalts
3 Oxides and Hydroxides
- Simple oxides
- Multiple oxides
- Hydroxides
4 Halides
- Chlorides
- Fluorides
5 Carbonates
- Calcite group
- Aragonite group
- Dolomite group
6 Sulfates
- Anhydrous sulfates
- Hydrous sulfates
7 Phosphates
- Apatite group
- Other phosphate minerals
8 Other Mineral Groups
- Nitrates
- Borates
- Tungstates and molybdates
- Chromates
- Vanadates
09 Mineral Genesis and Occurrence 6 topics
1 Igneous Environments
- Minerals in mafic and ultramafic rocks
- Minerals in intermediate rocks
- Minerals in felsic rocks
- Pegmatites
2 Sedimentary Environments
- Detrital minerals
- Chemical precipitates
- Evaporite minerals
- Diagenetic minerals
3 Metamorphic Environments
- Low-grade metamorphic minerals
- Medium-grade metamorphic minerals
- High-grade metamorphic minerals
- Index minerals
4 Hydrothermal Environments
- Hot springs and geysers
- Hydrothermal veins
- Replacement deposits
5 Weathering and Supergene Processes
- Weathering products
- Secondary enrichment
- Soil mineralogy
6 Special Mineral-Forming Environments
- Meteorites
- Deep-sea mineral deposits
- Biomineralization
10 Mineral Associations and Paragenesis 5 topics
1 Mineral Assemblages
- Equilibrium assemblages
- Disequilibrium assemblages
2 Phase Rules and Mineral Stability
- Gibbs phase rule
- Stability fields
- Phase diagrams
3 Reaction Series
- Bowen's reaction series
- Metamorphic reaction series
4 Mineral Zoning
- Compositional zoning
- Reaction zoning
- Growth zoning
5 Paragenetic Sequences
- Definition and importance
- Determination methods
- Case studies
11 Economic Mineralogy 5 topics
1 Ore Minerals
- Definition and characteristics
- Major ore mineral groups
2 Industrial Minerals
- Construction materials
- Ceramics and glass
- Abrasives
- Fillers and pigments
3 Gemstones
- Precious gems
- Semi-precious gems
- Ornamental stones
- Synthetic gems
4 Mineral Resources
- Distribution
- Exploration methods
- Evaluation
- Mining and extraction
5 Strategic and Critical Minerals
- Definition
- Global supply and demand
- Resource politics
12 Environmental Mineralogy 5 topics
1 Minerals and Human Health
- Beneficial minerals
- Hazardous minerals
2 Minerals in Pollution Control
- Ion exchange minerals
- Adsorptive minerals
- Minerals in water treatment
3 Minerals and Climate Change
- Carbon sequestration
- Minerals in climate records
4 Mine Waste Mineralogy
- Acid mine drainage
- Heavy metal contamination
- Remediation mineralogy
5 Mineral Weathering and Environmental Impact
- Weathering processes
- Soil development
- Contaminant immobilization
13 Instrumental Methods in Mineralogy 5 topics
1 Sample Preparation
- Crushing and grinding
- Thin section preparation
- Polished section preparation
- Mineral separation techniques
2 Microscopy Techniques
- Optical microscopy in detail
- Electron microscopy
- Atomic force microscopy
3 Spectroscopic Methods
- Visible and infrared spectroscopy
- Raman spectroscopy
- Mössbauer spectroscopy
- Nuclear magnetic resonance
4 Diffraction Methods
- Single crystal X-ray diffraction
- Powder X-ray diffraction
- Neutron diffraction
- Electron diffraction
5 Microprobe and Surface Analysis
- Electron microprobe
- Secondary ion mass spectrometry
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
- Laser ablation ICP-MS
14 Computational Mineralogy 5 topics
1 Mineral Structure Modeling
- Molecular dynamics
- Density functional theory
- Monte Carlo methods
2 Thermodynamic Calculations
- Phase equilibria
- Reaction pathways
- Geochemical modeling
3 Crystal Morphology Prediction
- Growth models
- Attachment energy models
4 Spectroscopic Property Calculation
- Vibrational spectra
- Electronic spectra
- NMR spectra
5 Machine Learning in Mineralogy
- Mineral classification
- Property prediction
- Exploration targeting
15 Planetary Mineralogy 6 topics
1 Mineralogy of the Solar System
- Terrestrial planets
- Gas giants
- Moons and satellites
- Dwarf planets
2 Meteorite Mineralogy
- Chondrites
- Achondrites
- Stony-iron meteorites
- Iron meteorites
3 Lunar Mineralogy
- Highland rocks
- Mare basalts
- Impact breccias
4 Mars Mineralogy
- Primary igneous minerals
- Secondary alteration products
- Evidence for water
5 Asteroid and Comet Mineralogy
- Remote sensing data
- Sample return missions
6 Exoplanetary Mineralogy
- Theoretical models
- Observational constraints
16 Historical and Cultural Aspects of Mineralogy 5 topics
1 History of Mineral Use
- Prehistoric mineral use
- Ancient civilizations
- Middle Ages to Renaissance
- Modern era
2 Famous Minerals and Discoveries
- Historically significant specimens
- Major mineralogical discoveries
3 Minerals in Art and Culture
- Pigments
- Sculptural materials
- Architectural materials
- Jewelry
4 Mineral Collections and Museums
- Major mineralogical collections
- Curation and preservation
- Educational aspects
5 Mineral Nomenclature
- Naming conventions
- Type specimens
- International Mineralogical Association
17 Appendices 4 topics
1 Mineral Identification Tables
- By physical properties
- By optical properties
- By chemical composition
2 Crystallographic Tables
- Space groups
- Point groups
- Crystal system reference
3 Common Mineral Associations
- Igneous rock minerals
- Metamorphic rock minerals
- Sedimentary rock minerals
4 Additional References
- Glossary of Mineralogical Terms
- Mineral Formulas and Properties
- Mineral Symmetry and Twinning
- Units and Conversion Tables
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