How can knowledge of chemistry be used in the fields of mineralogy and geology?

Answer 1

Many of the mineralogical and geological samples react with different acids. One common example is using vinegar or hydrochloric acid to test if a rock is quartz or calcite. Calcite will fizz and dissolve if there's enough acid, while quartz won't. Some rock/geologic samples may seem to do nothing, but actually give off gas when exposed to acid. One example putting HCl on a sample and getting H2S04 (hydrogen sulfide) as a by product. Simply put, if you know where the minerals occur on the Periodic Table, it should not be difficult designing experiment to determine what minerals you're working with as all of them have different levels of reactivity. source: Personal Experience and family members who were geologist.

Someone can likely give a more in depth answer than what I've written. One caution.... write out a formula with the chemical, salts, acids, bases etc that you're using and what you think the mystery mineral is. That way if it turns out you were wrong about what the mineral was you have a better idea of what it could be. I've also found that magnets can help narrow down mineralogical samples. There's also flourescence tests, crystal chromatography. Even finding that a mineral appears non reactive can help narrow down and identify it.... possibly even show new uses for it. The short answer after all that.... there are many ways knowledge of chemistry can be used in the fields of mineralogy and geology.