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Andrew Alden

Geology 101: The Acid Test

By , About.com GuideJuly 4, 2012

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calcite acid testEvery field geologist knows about the acid test for the common carbonate minerals: it involves deploying a few drops of hydrochloric acid and observing the mineral's response. Hydrochloric acid isn't in everyone's household, though; however, acetic acid is a substitute that is in every store. So I've posted instructions for the acid test using either acid.
Calcite in HCl — Geology Guide photo

Comments

July 4, 2012 at 5:08 pm
(1) Howard says:

If you have a choice, get pickling vinegar: it’s 7% acetic acid, whereas regular vinegar is 5%.

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