Does sandstone dissolve in dilute HCI?

Question

Does sandstone dissolve in dilute HCI?

Answer 1

A dilute solution of HCL is used by geologists to identify rocks in the field. Place a few drops on a clean surface (freshly broken) and see what happens. If it bubbles then there is some kind of carbonate present. No bubbles means it is something else. Since limestone and dolomite are abundant on the earth's surface this is a pretty useful test.

A geologist will be able to identify sandstone simply by looking at it, possibly through a hand lens. The grains of sand are most likely made of something other than carbonate. Carbonates are too fragile to erode into sand, they tend to dissolve into solution. If you saw any bubbles when putting the acid on sandstone it would be from the cement binding the grains together.

Remember, the test is only valid on a clean surface. Otherwise the acid could react to organic matter (algae, moss, etc.) that is on the exposed surface.

Answer 2

The "sand" or quartz in sandstone will not dissolve in HCl.  But sandstone is sand grains cemented together - commonly by iron oxide, silica, or calcium carbonate.  The calcium carbonate will dissolve in dilute HCl, leaving you with a bunch of loose sand grains.

Answer 3

i gt no idea, but hydrocloric acid is pretty ridiculously strong, and dissolves a whole lot of c**p, so i would guess yes, but that is just a guess