Scientists who study the physical properties of rocks to tell how they may have formed are called petrologists.

Here's why:

* Petrology is the branch of geology that studies rocks and their formation, composition, and structure.

* Petrologists are scientists who specialize in this field. They use various techniques to analyze rock samples, including:

* Mineralogy: Identifying the minerals present in the rock.

* Texture: Examining the arrangement and size of mineral grains.

* Chemical composition: Determining the chemical elements that make up the rock.

* Geochemistry: Studying the isotopic ratios and trace elements in the rock.

* Field observations: Examining the rock's context in the geological environment.

By combining these methods, petrologists can deduce the processes that led to the rock's formation, such as igneous activity, sedimentary deposition, or metamorphic transformation.