EXTINCTION ANGLE Meaning and
Definition
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Extinction angle refers to a term used in petrography and mineralogy to describe the angular difference between the direction of polarized light and the symmetry axis of a mineral under a microscope. It plays a crucial role in the identification and analysis of minerals, especially in thin sections of rocks or minerals.
When a thin slice of a mineral is examined under a polarizing microscope, the interaction between the light waves and the crystal structure can reveal valuable information about the mineral's properties. By rotating the stage of the microscope, the angle at which the mineral goes dark, no longer transmitting light, is determined. This angle is known as the extinction angle.
The extinction angle provides insights into the crystalline arrangement of the mineral, as it directly relates to the mineral's optical properties. In minerals exhibiting anisotropy, where light's velocity depends on its direction of propagation, the extinction angle can vary significantly. It is generally measured in degrees and can be used to distinguish different minerals based on their crystallographic systems and symmetry elements.
Knowledge of the extinction angle allows petrologists and geologists to identify and characterize minerals more accurately, aiding them in the interpretation of rock composition and geological processes. Extinction angle measurements, in conjunction with other mineral properties, assist in distinguishing minerals with similar physical properties, facilitating the classification and classification of rock samples encountered in various geological environments.
Common Misspellings for EXTINCTION ANGLE
- wxtinction angle
- sxtinction angle
- dxtinction angle
- rxtinction angle
- 4xtinction angle
- 3xtinction angle
- eztinction angle
- ectinction angle
- edtinction angle
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- exrinction angle
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- exyinction angle
- ex6inction angle
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- extunction angle
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- extknction angle
Etymology of EXTINCTION ANGLE
The word "extinction angle" is formed from two different terms: "extinction" and "angle".
- "Extinction" comes from the Latin word "extinctio" which means "a putting out", "destruction", "annihilation", or "extinguishing". It is derived from the verb "extinguere" which means "to extinguish" or "to put out".
- "Angle" comes from the Latin word "angulus" meaning "corner" or "L-shaped object". It has its origin in the Greek word "ankulos" which also means "a bend" or "a corner".
When combined, the term "extinction angle" refers to the angle at which the light rays become completely extinct or extinguished upon passing through certain materials.
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