Using Limestone Flashcards
What is limestone often formed from?
sea shells
What compound is limestone mainly made up of?
Calcium carbonate
How do we get limestone?
We quarry it out of the ground
What is limestone great for making into?
Blocks for building with
What property of limestone made people use it when building structures?
It’s quite STURDY
What is the chemical formula for calcium carbonate?
CaCO3
What does calcium carbonate make when it THERMALLY DECOMPOSES?
- Calcium oxide 2. Carbon dioxide
What are the word and symbol equations of the decomposition of calcium carbonate?
Calcium carbonate -> calcium oxide + carbon dioxide
CaO3 (s) ——–> CaO(s) + CO2 (g)
Define thermal decomposition
When one substance CHEMICALLY changes into at least 2 NEW substances when it is HEATED
Which other 4 carbonates decompose the same way as calcium carbonate? Give an example
- Copper
- Zinc
- Sodium
- Magnesium:
magnesium carbonate->magnesium oxide+carbon dioxide
MgCO3 ——-> MgO + CO2
(REMEMBER these are CARBONATES not just the elements)
Why might you have difficulty doing a thermal decomposition reaction in class with some of the Group 1 metal carbonates?
A Bunsen burner CAN’T reach a HIGH enough temperature to thermally decompose some CARBONATES of Group 1 metals
What are the 3 products when calcium carbonate reacts with an acid?
- a calcium SALT (i.e. calcium chloride)
- Carbon dioxide
- Water
Give the word and symbol equations for calcium carbonate reacting with sulphuric acid
Calcium carbonate + sulphuric acid -> calcium sulphate + carbon dioxide + water
CaCO3 + H2SO4 ——-> CaSO4 + CO2 + H2O
Which other 4 carbonates react with acids in the same way as calcium carbonate?
- Copper 2. Zinc 3. Sodium 4. Magnesium
(HINT these are the same carbonates that thermally decompose in the same way as calcium carbonate)
What is the product when calcium oxide reacts with water?
Calcium hydroxide
What are the word and symbol equations for when calcium oxide reacts with water?
calcium oxide + water ——-> calcium hydroxide
CaO + H2O ——-> Ca(OH)2
What does the reaction between calcium carbonate and acid mean? (think buildings)
That limestone is damaged by acid rain
What 2 things can calcium hydroxide by used for, and why (for 1st one)?
- For neutralising acidic soil in fields : It is an alkali
- To test for carbon dioxide (in gas)
What is the advantage of using calcium hydroxide for neutralising soil in fields over powdered limestone?
Calcium hydroxide works much quicker than powdered limestone
What other substance, beside calcium hydroxide, can be used to neutralise acidic soil?
Powdered limestone
Explain step by step how a test for carbon dioxide in a gas using calcium hydroxide works?
- You mix the calcium hydroxide with WATER to form a solution called LIMEWATER
- Bubble GAS through it
- The solution will turn CLOUDY if there’s carbon dioxide in the gas
What causes the cloudiness in the limewater test?
The formation of CALCIUM CARBONATE
What are the word and symbol equations for the reaction that happens in limewater (calcium hydroxide)
Calcium hydroxide + carbon dioxide -> calcium carbonate + water
Ca(OH)2 + CO2 ——-> CaCO3 + H20
What is the other name for calcium oxide?
Quicklime

