Comment: 14:51 - 16:33 (01:42)
Source: Annenberg/CPB Resources - Earth Revealed - 12. Minerals: The Materials of Earth
Keywords: "J. Lawford Anderson", X-ray, "chemical composition", mineral, rock, element, "laboratory analysis"
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Our transcription: In addition to microscope work, Anderson also uses X-ray analysis to provide important information about the composition of minerals and rocks.
To prepare the sample for analysis, the rock is literally broken down.
This is done by first crushing it into smaller and smaller pieces.
Ultimately, the rock is pulverized the consistency of a powder.
The powder is carefully measured out.
Then melted and pressed into the shape of a disk.
Finally, the disk is subjected to X-ray bombardment that yields the precise composition of the rock element by element.
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Geology School Keywords
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