Science, Tech, Math › Science What Is the Acid Test in Geology? Share Flipboard Email Print Science Geology Types Of Rocks Landforms and Geologic Features Plate Tectonics Chemistry Biology Physics Astronomy Weather & Climate By Andrew Alden Andrew Alden Geology Expert B.A., Earth Sciences, University of New Hampshire Andrew Alden is a geologist based in Oakland, California. He works as a research guide for the U.S. Geological Survey. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on February 25, 2019 01 of 07 Calcite in Hydrochloric Acid Andrew Alden Every serious field geologist carries a small bottle of 10 percent hydrochloric acid to perform this quick field test, used to distinguish the most common carbonate rocks, dolomite, and limestone (or marble, which may be composed of either mineral). A few drops of the acid are put on the rock, and limestone responds by fizzing vigorously. Dolomite fizzes only very slowly. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is available in hardware stores as muriatic acid, for use in cleaning stains from concrete. For geological field use, the acid is diluted to 10 percent strength and kept in a small strong bottle with an eyedropper. This gallery also shows the use of household vinegar, which is slower but suitable for occasional or amateur users. Calcite making up a chip of marble fizzes vigorously in the typical 10 percent solution of hydrochloric acid. The reaction is immediate and unmistakable. 02 of 07 Dolomite in Hydrochloric Acid Andrew Alden Dolomite from a chip of marble fizzes immediately, but gently, in a 10 percent HCl solution. 03 of 07 Calcite in Acetic Acid Andrew Alden Bits of calcite from a geode bubble vigorously in acid, even in acetic acid like this household vinegar. This acid substitute is suitable for classroom demonstrations or very young geologists. 04 of 07 Mystery Carbonate Andrew Alden We know this is a carbonate by its hardness (about 3 on the Mohs scale) and either calcite or dolomite by its color and excellent cleavage. Which is it? 05 of 07 Calcite Test Fails Andrew Alden The mineral is put in acid. Calcite bubbles readily in cold acid. This is not calcite. The most common white minerals in the calcite group react differently to cold and hot acid, as follows: Calcite (CaCO3): bubbles strongly in cold acidMagnesite (MgCO3): bubbles only in hot acidSiderite (FeCO3): bubbles only in hot acidSmithsonite (ZnCO3): bubbles only in hot acid Calcite is by far the most common in the calcite group, and is the only one that typically looks like our specimen. However, we know it isn't calcite. Sometimes magnesite occurs in white granular masses like our specimen, but the main suspect is dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2), which is not in the calcite family. It bubbles weakly in cold acid, strongly in hot acid. Because we're using weak vinegar, we will pulverize the specimen to make the reaction faster. 06 of 07 Crushed Carbonate Mineral Andrew Alden The mystery mineral is ground in a hand mortar. The well-formed rhombs are a sure sign of a carbonate mineral. 07 of 07 Dolomite in Acetic Acid Andrew Alden Powdered dolomite bubbles gently in cold hydrochloric acid and in hot vinegar. Hydrochloric acid is much preferred because the reaction with dolomite is otherwise very slow. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Alden, Andrew. "What Is the Acid Test in Geology?" ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/what-is-the-acid-test-4123174. Alden, Andrew. (2020, August 27). What Is the Acid Test in Geology? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-the-acid-test-4123174 Alden, Andrew. "What Is the Acid Test in Geology?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-the-acid-test-4123174 (accessed March 31, 2023). copy citation