Coastal & Marine Geology InfoBank

USGS CMG InfoBank: X-Ray Analysis


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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"

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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Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices
U.S. Department of the Interior \| U.S. Geological Survey URL: http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/programs/html/school/moviepage/11.01.21.html Page Contact: InfoBank staff Page Last Modified: Wed Aug 27 06:14:59 PDT 2008 (wcs)