Download GEOLOGY 4045

ESS312 Geochemistry final review
Note: this is just a guide. The final exam will cover everything we talk about in class.
1. General concept on the Solar System: planets, moons, asteroid belts, comets etc.
2. Condensation of elements and its relationship to compositions of planets.
3. Petrology & mineralogy of the major terrestrial reservoirs (mantle, core, crust …)
4. Classification of elements: Major, minor and trace elements
5. Goldschmidt classification of trace elements
6. Chemical bonds and factors controlling bonding types
7. Electronegativity
8. How to calculate mole fraction?
9. The First law of thermodynamics
10. Enthalpy definition and calculation
11. The second law of thermodynamics
12. Entropy definition and calculation
13. Gibbs free energy definition and calculation
14. Gibbs free energy change in reactions
15. Clapeyron equation and phase diagram
16. Partition coefficient definition, measurement and prediction
17. Compatible vs. incompatible element definition and prediction
18. Trace element behavior during batch and fractional partial melting
19. Trace element behavior during equilibrium /fractional crystallization
20. How does partial melting affect chemical composition of magma?
21. How does partial melting affect composition of residual rocks?
22. Trace elements during mixing
23. Applications of trace elements in tracing crust-mantle, mantle-core interactions
24. Isotopes vs. isobars
25. Theory on radiogenic isotope geochemistry
26. Types of decays
27. Dating rocks by using radiogenic isotopes
28. Isochron and how to derive it
29. Isotope evolution diagram and how to use it to study the evolution of the earth and
crust-mantle interactions
30. Applications of radiogenic isotope geochemistry
31. Stable isotope fractionation factor: definition, measurement and prediction
32. Stable isotope fractionation as a geothermometry
33. Stable isotope geochemistry as a tracer for crust-mantle interactions, K-T
boundary etc.
34. Applications of stable isotope geochemistry
35. Concentration and activity
36. Chemical weathering of rocks and minerals
37. Qualitative prediction of weathering sequences of rock-forming minerals
38. Calculations of equilibrium constant for a given chemical weathering reactions
39. Mineral stability diagrams during chemical weathering of different minerals such
as K-spar, plagioclase etc.
40. Chemical compositions of rivers and their controls
41. Chemical compositions of seawaters and their controls
42. Links between evolution of seawater, continental weathering and atmosphere
43. Origins and evolution of the atmosphere