STAUROSCOPE Meaning and
Definition
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A stauroscope is an optical instrument used to determine the angles of crystal faces in mineral specimens. It consists of a small, handheld device with a built-in microscope and a circular stage. The stage is marked with a protractor-like scale, allowing precise measurements of crystal angles.
The stauroscope operates on the principle of light interference. When a transparent crystal is placed on the stage, light passing through the crystal is split into two beams. These beams interfere with each other, creating a distinctive pattern of colors and lines that can be observed through the microscope.
By rotating the crystal and observing the changes in the interference pattern, a mineralogist can accurately determine the angles between crystal faces. This information is crucial in identifying minerals and understanding their crystal structures.
Stauroscopes are commonly used in mineralogy labs and by geologists in the field. They provide a rapid and reliable method for collecting data on crystal orientations. The data obtained from a stauroscope can be used to classify minerals, study their formation and growth processes, and even identify specific crystallographic structures.
In summary, a stauroscope is an essential tool in mineralogy that enables the measurement of crystal angles through light interference patterns. Its compact and portable design makes it a valuable resource for geologists and mineralogists in studying the microscopic features of minerals.
Common Misspellings for STAUROSCOPE
- stroscope
- atauroscope
- ztauroscope
- xtauroscope
- dtauroscope
- etauroscope
- wtauroscope
- srauroscope
- sfauroscope
- sgauroscope
- syauroscope
- s6auroscope
- s5auroscope
- stzuroscope
- stsuroscope
- stwuroscope
- stquroscope
- stayroscope
- stahroscope
- stajroscope
Etymology of STAUROSCOPE
The word "stauroscope" is derived from the Greek roots "stauros" meaning "cross" and "skopein" meaning "to see" or "to observe". The combination of these roots forms "stauroscope", which refers to an optical instrument used for viewing objects positioned in front of a cross-shaped background.
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