Calcium carbonate

Calcium carbonate

1. Limestone is mainly made up of the compound: Calcium carbonate (CaCO3)

   • It is quarried and used as a building material

2. When heated, Calcium Carbonate thermally decomposes to make calcium oxide and carbon dioxide

   • Carbonates such as: magnesium, copper, zinc, Calcium and Sodium decompose in a similiar way by heating.
   • Calcium oxide reacts with water to produce Calcium hydroxide which can be used to nuetralise acids
     • Used to neutralise acid soils
     • A solution of calcium hydroxide in limewater reacts with CO2 in the air to produce Calcium carbonate.
       • Limewater is used as a test for CO2. CO2 turns limewater cloudy

3. Carbonates react with acids to produce CO2, a salt and water

   • Limestone is damaged by acid rain
   • Other carbonates that react with acid are: magnesium, copper, zinc and sodium
   • the type of salt produced depends on the type of acid

4. Powdered limestone is heated with powdered clay to make cement

   • Cement can be mixed with sand and water to make a mortar. Mortar is what is used to stick bricks together
   • Cement can be mixed with aggregate (water and gravel) to make concrete