Forensic Physics Reviewer (Glass)
Forensic Physics Reviewer (Glass)
Forensic Physics Reviewer (Glass)
2. Other Properties
Hardness=5-6 on Mohs scale; use a scratch
test.
How does glass break? Glass Density
• Density can be measured by:
directly determining mass and volume
(usually by displacement).
comparison by flotation.
comparison using a density gradient column.
Translation - the glass disappears.
Becke Lines
• A glass particle is immersed in a liquid. The • Scanning Electron Microscopy Energy Dispersive
density of the liquid is adjusted by the addition of X-ray (SEM-EDX) Analysis
small amounts of another liquid until the glass - Can determine many elements
chip remains suspended simultaneously
• At this point, the glass will have the same density - Surfaces of samples (>50 mg) can be
as the liquid medium and can be compared to analyzed
other relevant pieces of glass which will remain • Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)
suspended, sink, or float. - You must first know which elements are
present (weakness)
Why Measure Refractive Index? - Can analyze ppm levels of elements present
• Refractive index – ratio of the velocity of light in
a vacuum to the velocity of light in any other
medium.
• Nothing travels faster than the speed of light in a
vacuum (roughly 3.0 x 10^8 m / s or 6.7 x 10^8
mph).
• For example, at 25°C the refractive index of water
is 1.333. This means that light travels 1.333 times
faster in a vacuum than it does in water.
• Refractive index of glass varies with small
changes in composition or by how it is
manufactured.