Chemistry in Context

"Chemistry in Context " course.

"The Chemistry of the Earth"

Three one hour sessions led by Mike Horne FGS for the University of Hull, Chemistry Dept.

Aims -

Think about -

The "Scientific Method" - how do we do science?

Relationships - how are the sciences related? how does science interact with our lives?

Communication - how can we tell the public about science?

Content -

Short statement on Safety.

A bit of mineralogy - How can we identify a mineral? - what are its physical properties and optical properties? Relationship of Chemical bonding to crystal shape to physical properties (e.g. forms of carbon).

Introduction to Silicate Chemistry - Si-O bonds; Si-O arrangements produce groups of minerals with distinct properties; Solid Solution Series.

A bit of geochemistry - Chemical abundance in the planet Earth.

The original nanoparticles and nanotubes - clays and asbestos

Perhaps a bit of crystallography - symmetry and crystallographic systems.

Perhaps a bit of optical mineralogy, if the facilities are available.

The relationship between geology and other sciences - mind maps/spider diagrams.

Perhaps - "Geology in the City" - geology is all around us OR "The geology of East Yorkshire" OR "Did the Earth Move for You" an introduction to geo-hazards in the UK.

Methods -

Informal talks using OHP, practical work with mineral specimens, discussions and a slide show.

Location -

If possible we will use room 041, Geography Dept., Cohen Building, because there it is a geology teahing laboratory with a collection of speimens that we will use in the course. Please check your timetable for details.

It is a Laboatory - so eating, drinking and smoking are not allowed. Please wash your hands after handling specimens. Please read the risk assessment.

You will need - notepaper and pencil. A penknife and magnifying glass may be helpful if you have them.

FURTHER INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS.

These notes are intended to be an aid to students on my part-time geology classes. They do not represent the whole of the course material and are intended to supplement the notes students make in the class.

Please note - I am a bit dyslexic so the web-pages may contain some spelling errors - particularly in non-English words that the spell-check may miss!

Copyright statement - Permission is given for copies to be made or printed for personal, educational or non-commercial use. You may make multiple copies for educational or non-commercial uses if you inform me. The text used in the notes is all original work but some of the images are the work of others and I acknowledge their help.

The course notes may contain links to external sites - the content of which is beyond my control. Please respect the copyright of the owners of such sites - a link from my course notes does not imply permission to print or redistribute the content.

Links to further notes:- don't rely on the back buttons though - you might get lost!

Basic geological principles

Physical properties of minerals in hand specimen

the Rock Cycle

Introduction to "mind maps"

The relationship between Geology and sciences (example of mind-map)

Geology of East Yorkshire (new)

Introduction to the Geology around Hull

Minerals and Rocks (course notes)

Optical Mineralogy (course notes)