Obsidian Glass (Volcanic Glass)
Obsidian is a fascinating igneous rock that contains the same amorphous structure as glass. It's just as sharp as glass if not sharper and very fragile. Some surgeons actually use obsidian as scalpels instead of the conventional steel scalpel. The reason for this is because the obsidian blade allows for minimal cell damage which helps with cell inflammatory response. As you go about reading links that are supplied answer the questions that go along with this lesson.
Websites
Volcanic Rock
Questions
- Where can obsidian be found within the United States?
- How is obsidian made in nature?
- What are the chemical components needed to make obsidian?
- How can obsidian come in other colors than black?
- Explain how obsidian was used within the past? (provide an account of the society and how they had access to obsidian)
- How is obsidian currently used?
Very Cool! I like your tie-in with the medical field. My friend is an anesthesiologist... am interested to see if he knows of any instances he knows of where obsidian has been the cutting tool of choice.
ReplyDeleteYou will need to let me know what your friend says. I have never heard of such a thing like obsidian being used as a scalpel. It reminds me when I first laid my eyes on the clay knife that Steve brought to class. never knew something existed like that.
DeleteVery informative post. I plan on sharing this with my students, they love learning about finding things in nature! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBrian, it would be good to have your students research what ancient societies used in their medical practices. The Egyptians were practicing brain surgery from my recollections. It would be interesting to see if there is evidence of how they opened the body before the age of steel. There may be other knifes used than obsidian and clay before modern history.
ReplyDeleteThe microscopic photos show just how much sharper obsidian is than fine surgical steel. Good post.
ReplyDelete