angle of extinction

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Explanation of "Angle of Extinction"

Definition:
The term "angle of extinction" refers to a specific measurement in the study of crystals and minerals. It is the angle at which a crystal must be turned (rotated) from its original position before it looks completely dark when viewed through polarized light. This is important in geology and mineralogy for identifying and studying different types of crystals.

Usage Instructions

• Context: This term is mostly used in scientific fields, particularly in geology, mineralogy, and materials science.
• When to use: You would use "angle of extinction" when talking about how to observe or analyze crystals under polarized light in a lab setting.

Example Sentence

• "To identify the mineral in the thin section, the geologist measured the angle of extinction under the polarized microscope."

Advanced Usage

In advanced contexts, the angle of extinction can provide insights into the internal structure of the crystal, its optical properties, and how it interacts with light.

Word Variants

• Angle (noun): The space between two intersecting lines or surfaces.
• Extinction (noun): The state of a crystal being completely dark under polarized light.

Different Meanings

1. Angle: Can refer to a geometric figure formed by two rays or lines meeting at a point.
2. Extinction: In a broader sense, can refer to the end of existence of a species or a phenomenon.

Synonyms

• None specifically: "Angle of extinction" is a technical term with no direct synonyms, but you might refer to it as "polarized light measurement" in a less formal sense.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• No idioms or phrasal verbs apply directly to "angle of extinction" since it is a specialized scientific term.

Recap

In summary, "angle of extinction" is a specific term used in the study of crystals that describes how they appear under polarized light.

Academic

Noun

1. the angle from its axis that a crystal must be rotated before appearing maximally dark when viewed in polarized light

Synonyms

• extinction angle