Mineral and Element Analysis Methods Quiz

To select relatively flat and smooth areas without large mineral inclusions, in order to mitigate air attenuation.

They took three readings across each sample and averaged them together.

±5% precision.

<p>They underwent low-impact cleaning with water and a toothbrush for 15 seconds to remove lichen and other contaminants, and allowed them to fully air-dry before taking readings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They selected a control specimen and took a reading in the same location on it each day the equipment was used, in order to calculate error rates for each element of interest and determine the impact of instrument performance variability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They selected a second standard of a different stone type and repeated readings on an accessible sculpture that had been analyzed in 2018.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To obtain accurate measures of percentages of specific minerals or elements within a sample.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It classifies volcanic rocks based on the relative percentages of the minerals quartz, alkali feldspar, plagioclase, and feldspathoid.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The relative percent weight of silica dioxide vs sodium and potassium oxide.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>In cases where sample collection and destructive analysis are not possible.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Color, texture, and macroscopically visible mineralogy of rocks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To account for slight imprecisions in mineral identification that do not affect the mechanical properties relevant for stability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To identify groups of sculptures that use the same raw materials and to compare the MAA sculptures to potential lithic sources in the Huaraz region.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The absence of regionally specific calibration data to convert x-ray intensities into concentrations prohibited quantitative analysis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A semiquantitative approach utilizing statistical analysis of intensity ratios was used instead of element concentrations, because the ratio between elements within the same pXRF reading should remain fixed, allowing provenance to be assessed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The sequential steps are: 1) initial data processing, 2) element and ratio selection, 3) precision validation, and 4) statistical analysis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The ratio between elements within the same pXRF reading should remain fixed, allowing provenance to be assessed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The semiquantitative approach does not require converting x-ray intensities into concentrations, which would have required the missing calibration data.</p> Signup and view all the answers