Optical Mineralogy Paul F Kerr.pdf High Quality

Kerr, P. F. (1957). Optical Mineralogy. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill.

When you open that PDF, go straight to page 87 (in the 3rd edition) and read the section on "The Becke Line Method" three times. Master that, and you will identify 90% of unknown minerals before your classmates even find their Bertrand lens.

The text begins not with rocks, but with the behavior of light. Kerr meticulously explains the construction and function of the petrographic microscope, a device that can be intimidating to the novice. By demystifying the components—polarizers, analyzers, and rotating stages—he allows the student to understand the why before the how . His explanation of the optical indicatrix, a geometric representation of refractive indices within a crystal, provided students with a mental model that made the bewildering array of interference colors and extinction angles comprehensible. This foundational approach ensured that geologists were not merely following a recipe, but understood the physics driving their observations.

“Excuse me,” Elara said. “I really need that book. Just for one mineral.” Optical Mineralogy Paul F Kerr.pdf

Despite these drawbacks, the book continues to be cited for its coverage of core optical mineralogy principles.

Kerr's book emphasizes the importance of proper techniques and instrumentation in optical mineralogy. He discusses:

Even in modern discussions on platforms like Physics Forums, the book is recommended. A user noted, “Optical Mineralogy by Paul Kerr. I think even the most recent editions are old, but polarised light through a pyroxene still looks the same”, emphasizing the timelessness of the fundamental concepts. Kerr, P

"Optical Mineralogy" by Paul F. Kerr is a timeless classic in the field of geology and mineralogy. First published in 1959, this book has remained a staple in the discipline for over six decades, and for good reason. Kerr's comprehensive guide to the optical properties of minerals has been widely acclaimed for its clarity, accuracy, and thoroughness.

The fourth and most widely recognized edition is a substantial volume of 492 pages, featuring 427 figures. It was published by McGraw-Hill. This edition has a durable hardcover binding, weighs approximately 1.74 lbs, and measures 9.5 inches by 6.5 inches. It was the final update overseen by Kerr himself.

Optical Mineralogy is a branch of mineralogy that deals with the study of minerals using optical techniques. Paul F. Kerr, a renowned American mineralogist, wrote an influential book on the subject, which has become a classic in the field. The book, likely titled "Optical Mineralogy" or "The Microscopic Identification of Minerals" (Kerr's most notable work), provides a detailed guide on the identification and characterization of minerals using optical properties. Optical Mineralogy

Kerr was a leader in his professional community. He served as Secretary of the Mineralogical Society of America from 1934 to 1944 and was elected its President in 1946. He was also Vice President of the Geological Society of America in 1947. In recognition of his contributions, he was made an honorary member of the Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland in 1972.

Despite its age, lack of color, and copyright ambiguities, Optical Mineralogy by Paul F. Kerr remains a masterpiece of technical writing.