Powder Method (Noun)
Meaning
A process for identifying minerals or crystals; a small rod is coated with a powdered form of the substance and subjected to suitably modified X-rays; the pattern of diffracted rings is used for identification.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The powder method is a widely used technique in geology for identifying minerals based on the unique patterns they produce when exposed to X-rays.
- Using the powder method, researchers can rapidly analyze the crystal structure of various minerals and compounds.
- Scientists typically rely on the powder method to determine the composition of small or unknown mineral samples.
- In the powder method, a small rod coated with a powdered form of the substance is placed in the path of suitably modified X-rays.
- The unique pattern of diffracted rings obtained through the powder method serves as a fingerprint for identifying minerals and crystals.