1.

ABSTRACT

The objective of this experiment is to study and identify the rocks and the minerals under
the microscope. In this experiment, two samples of rocks were used to identify the types of rocks
and the minerals in it. Thin section of rock helps to examine the rocks and minerals. The cutting
machine was used to cut the rocks to the desired thickness which is up to 4mm. The rock was
slowly cut to prevent from broken in to part. The sample then polished by sand paper and then
was attached to the thermoplastic to the glass slide. Then, continued to minimize the samples up
to 0.01mm. The samples been observed under the microscope. The sample was magnified into 4
different sizes which is 4X, 10X, 20X and 40X. The characteristics of the rocks were identified.

Page | 1

2. INTRODUCTION

There are many kinds of rock, and they can be classified in a number of ways. However,
geologists classify rocks based on how the rocks were formed. The three classes are igneous
rocks, metamorphic rocks and sedimentary rocks materials from other rocks.
Petrography is the study of rocks and the minerals inside the rocks. Making up the
majority of the Earth's crust, rock is usually defined as a mixture of common minerals. Rocks
can be hard or soft, as small as a grain or as large as a building. The most demands reservoir is
sandstone reservoir which having high permeability and porosity. The general preparation
sequence for making transparent thin sections is as follow: sectioning, vacuum impregnation,
grinding, cementing to a slide, resectioning, grinding and polishing. Generally a thin section
must be prepared to a thickness of approximately 30m. (Courtesy of Buehler LTD). Thin
section has been used in field of geology since the mid-nineteenth century. It is used in German
archeology on ceramic materials from sites ranging in date from Neolitic to the Middle Ages.
Rock identification is a systematic process, requiring concise, accurate descriptions of
physical

characteristics.

This

process

is

called

petrography.

Geologists

use petrographic descriptions to communicate the essential features of rocks in writing (with
illustrations / photographs if appropriate). Petrographic descriptions also summarise these
characteristics for future reference. They should contain sufficient information to allow
identification of the rock.
Systematic petrographic descriptions, as the name suggests, should follow a systematic pattern
detailing the necessary information in a set order. Geologists need to be able to determine the
physical properties of rocks based on observations and simple tests that can be conducted in the
field.

Page | 2

3. OBJECTIVE

The objective of this experiment is to study the rocks and minerals using a microscope.
Cross sections are useful for the identification of rocks, minerals and ores.

4. THEORY

Sedimentary rocks are the product of the erosion of existing rocks. Eroded material
accumulates as sediment, either in the sea or on land, and is then buried, compacted and
cemented to produce sedimentary rock (a process known as diagenesis). There are two major
groupings of sedimentary rocks which is clastic sedimentary rocks and non-clastic sedimentary
rocks. Clastic sedimentary rock is the fragments of pre-existing rocks or minerals that make up a
sedimentary rock are called clasts. Sedimentary rocks made up of clasts that are
called clastic (clastic indicates that particles have been broken and transported). While for nonclastic sedimentary rocks, occur when minerals/ mineraloids are precipitated directly from water
or are concentrated by organic matter / life. Components have not been transported prior to
deposition. No clasts are present.

While Igneous rocks are formed by the solidification of magma, a silicate liquid
generated by partial melting of the upper mantle or the lower crust. Different environments of
formation, and the cooling rates associated with these, create very different textures and define
the two major groupings within igneous rocks which is volcanic rocks and plutonic rocks.
Volcanic rock is form when magma rises to the surface and erupts, either as lava or pyroclastic
material. The rate of cooling of the magma is rapid, and crystal growth is inhibited. Volcanic
rocks are characteristically fine-grained. Volcanic rocks often exhibit structures caused by their

Page | 3

eruption for instance flow banding (formed by shearing of the lava as it flows),
and vesicles (open cavities that represent escaped gasses).
Plutonic rocks form when magma cools within the Earth's crust. The rate of cooling of
the magma is slow, allowing large crystals to grow. Plutonic rocks are characteristically coarsegrained.

Metamorphism is the alteration of pre-existing rocks in the solid state due to changes in
temperature

and

pressure.

Under

increasing

temperature

and

or

pressure

existing minerals become unstable and break down to form new minerals.
Guide to the classification of metamorphic rocks by texture

Grain size
Fine

Medium

Coarse

Poorly foliated

Hornfels

Marble, quartzite

Marble, quartzite

Well foliated

Slate

Schist

Gneiss

Well foliated and sheared

Mylonite

Mylonite, schist

Augen gneiss

The purpose of polishing a thin section of sample is to allow effective transmission of

light from below the microscope stage, through the sample, and to the eyepiece as through a
variety of available analytical lenses and optical devices (e.g polarizer).

Page | 4

5. APPARATUS AND MATERIAL

Figure 1: Thin Sectioning Lapping Machine

Figure 2 : Rock Cutting Machine

Page | 5

Figure 3: Microscope
1
2
3

Glass slide
Hotplate
Sand paper

MATERIALS
1. Two rock sample
2. Thermoplastic cement

Page | 6

6. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Procedure for using the Rock Cutting Machine

1
2

Power supply was switched on and light was turned.

Hood was opened and the sample was clamped firmly in the clamping device. Make sure that

the sample is not too loose or too tight to prevent broken off sample.
The path of the flange was checked before cutting the rock. Re-position the vise assembly if

4
5

the black knob and the screw pin can touch the flange.
Hood was closed and pump was turned on.
The start button was pressed and the cut-off wheel is taken slowly towards the rock sample.

Procedure for using the Thin Section Lapping Machine

1
2
3
4

Power supply was switched on and the light was turned on.
Cover is opened and the rock sample was put on the position.
Vacuum was turned on and cover was closed.
Water that connected to the pipe was opened and start button was pressed.

Procedure for using the Polarizing Microscope

1

Power supply was switched on and subsequently PC is switched on.

2 Rock sample was put on the rotating stage and microscope was switched on.
3 The focus knob was adjusted by turning it to get the desired image.
4 Camera button was pressed to capture an image and image captured ready to use with
AnalySIS software.
Images was saved and copied to the CD.

Procedure of the experiment

Page | 7

1
2
3
4

The rock sample was cut into small piece with a thickness of 4.0 mm using Rock Cutter.
Procedure of Rock cutting was applied by wearing proper PPE.
Desired surface of the sample was smoothed using sand paper.
Slide was heated on hotplate while thermoplastic cement is swept on the slide the sample

on the slide.
Procedure for using the Thin Section Lapping Machine was applied to thinning the

sample to a thickness of approximately 3 m.

Thin sample is observed with a polarizing microscope by followed procedure of the

polarizing microscope.
Each apparatus is switched off after be used.

7. RESULT

SAMPLE 1

Page | 8

4x

10x

Page | 9

20x

40x

SAMPLE 2

4x

20x

10x

40x

Page | 10

8. DISCUSSION
From the experiment conducted, the sample is examined by using polarizing microscope
for identification type of rock with four type of magnification which are 4x, 10x 20x and 40x.
These four type of magnification is used to help students in details on determining type of rock
on a particular sample. From the result that has been recorded, it is clearly showed that the
sample 2 consisted several types of component that related to sandstone characteristics. These
characteristics including the grains that is made up of several type of minerals, pores space that
can be seen clearly, matrix and also cementation.

As for sample 1, there is no much pores space, matrix and cementation that can be seen.
Sample 2 has smoother surface compare to sample 1. In terms of hardness rock from sample 1 is
harder compare to sample 2. This is because during the cutting, sample 2 take shorter time
compare to sample 1.

Most of sandstone classifications are based on the composition of the rock. The four
major of components of sandstones are framework, matrix, cement and pores. Framework is a
sand grain made up of crystals of two or more different minerals, sand and silt size detrital
grains. Matrix is a fine grained material that associated with the sand grains, silt and clay size
detrital material. Cement is a material precipitated post-depositionally, during burial. Cement fill
pores and replace framework grains. Pores is the void in the rock. From the result obtained,
sample 2 is classified as sandstone because it contains quartz, feldspar, cement, pore and matrix.
This can be seen at the 4 x magnifier and 10 x magnifiers. Sand grain shape and angularity are
useful properties for describing and differentiating sandstone.

Page | 11

9. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the study of rocks and minerals using a microscope and cross section are
useful for identification of rocks, minerals to achieved. Rock minerals can be identified depends
on its color, hardness, shape, weights, cleavage, fracture, taste and etc. Microscope are used to
reflect the color of minerals in rocks. Its also can be identified all of the type minerals content in
reservoir and also can be observed to know if it is good porosity or permeability to be a good
reservoir

10. RECOMMENDATION
1

Make sure that the sample rock must be clamped which is not too loose or too tight to

prevent from sample broken.

Careful when dealing with the hotplate during melting the thermoplastic cement to avoid any

injuries.
Make sure that the thermoplastics cement covered all part of the sample to prevent air

bubbles.
Should have knowledge in handling the machine such as rock cutting machine and thin

sectioning machine in order to avoid any accident happen during the experiment.
During rock cuttings, the pump must switch on that we can get a smooth and to cool down

the blade.
Should have expert to help to identify the rock.

Page | 12

11. REFERENCES

1. Thin Section Tutorial , Retrieved 22nd october 2016, from

http://geology.isu.edu/geostac/Field_Exercise/Cassia_mtns/thinsect.html
2. Geology rock and Mineral, Metamorphic rock .Retrieved from 22nd october 2016 from
http://flexiblelearning.auckland.ac.nz/rocks_minerals/rocks/metamorphic.html
3. Geology rock and Mineral, Sedimentary rock. Retrieved from 22nd october 2016 from
http://flexiblelearning.auckland.ac.nz/rocks_minerals/rocks/sedimentary.html
4. Geology rock and Mineral, Igneous rock. Retrieved from 22nd october 2016 from
http://flexiblelearning.auckland.ac.nz/rocks_minerals/rocks/igneous.html
5. Drlling lab manual

Page | 13

12. APPENDICES

Thin section is observed at the computer.

Page | 14

Sample is glued on the glass slide

Page | 15