Lexic.us

Definition of Iceland spar

1. Noun. A transparent calcite found in Iceland and used in polarizing microscopes.

Definition of Iceland spar

1. Noun. A transparent form of calcite, used to demonstrate the polarisation of light. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of Iceland spar

1. A transparent variety of calcite, the best of which is obtained in Iceland. It is used for the prisms of the polarizcope, because of its strong double refraction. Cf. Calcite. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Iceland Spar

Literary usage of Iceland spar

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London by Royal Society (Great Britain) (1879)
"Double Refraction and Dispersion in iceland spar. ... Professor Stokes has made a series of experiments on iceland spar by this method, and stated his ..."

2. Mineralogy: An Introduction to the Scientific Study of Minerals by Henry Alexander Miers (1902)
"Double Refraction of iceland spar.—If a cleavage rhombohedron of iceland spar (Fig ... iceland spar. Fig. 2lx?.—Double Refraction. white paper the spot will ..."

3. Smithsonian Physical Tables by Smithsonian Institution, Thomas Gray (1896)
"Index of Refraction of iceland spar. The determinations of Carvallo, Mascart, and Sarasin cover a considerable range of wave-length, and are here given. ..."

4. The Non-metallic Minerals: Their Occurrence and Uses by George Perkins Merrill (1910)
"Calcite, Calc Spar, iceland spar.—These are the names given to the variety ... Only the form known as double spar, or iceland spar, will here be considered. ..."

5. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and (1910)
"Calcite when pure, as in the well-known Iceland-spar, is perfectly transparent and colourless. The lustre is vitreous. Owing to the presence of various ..."

6. Light and Electricity: Notes of Two Courses of Lectures Before the Royal by John Tyndall (1871)
"The number 1.654 is the ordinary index of iceland spar. 417. But the other beam acts differently. Its index of refraction is not constant, nor is the angle ..."

7. An Introduction to the Theory of Optics by Sir Arthur Schuster (1904)
"Refraction through a crystal of iceland spar. A crystal of iceland spar is a rhomb (Fig. 125). The parallelograms B forming its six faces have sides which ..."

Other Resources: