Petrology is the study of rocks, and there are several synonyms that can be used to describe this scientific field. One such synonym is lithology, which specifically refers to the study of rocks and their composition. Mineralogy also overlaps with petrology, as it focuses on the study of individual minerals and their properties. Geology can be used as a general term that encompasses the study of earth materials, including rocks. Petrography is a synonym that specifically focuses on the description and classification of rocks through the use of thin sections. These different terms are all related to the study of rocks and their properties, and are used by scientists to better understand the earth's composition.