Limestone Flashcards
Limestone is a hard rock that is used as a building material. Limestone was used by the Egyptians to make plaster. Use the reactions of the lime cycle to explain how the plaster became even harder with age. (3 marks)
- carbon dioxide / CO 2
- (carbon dioxide) reacts (with the calcium hydroxide / slaked lime / plaster)
- limestone / calcium carbonate /Ca CO 3 forms
- water is lost / evaporates
About 60 million years ago a large meteorite hit the Earth. This meteorite heated limestone in the Earth’s crust causing the release of large amounts of carbon dioxide. Explain how carbon dioxide is released from limestone. (2 marks)
calcium carbonate / CaCO3 (1)
decomposed / thermal decomposition (1)
CaCO3 → CaO + CO2 gains 2 marks
How does the limestone used in a power station release carbon dioxide? (1 mark)
(thermal) decomposition
How does the limestone used in a power station remove sulphur dioxide? (1 mark)
calcium carbonate / calcium oxide / limestone / quicklime / it reacts with sulphur dioxide /neutralises SO2/ forms calcium sulphate/
The use of limestone in a power station releases ‘locked up carbon dioxide’ into the atmosphere. Explain the meaning of ‘locked up carbon dioxide’. (2 marks)
- (CO2) from the atmosphere
- (CO2) taken in millions of years ago or early (atmosphere)
- (CO2) was used to form the shells / skeletons of marine organisms / fossil fuels
Describe the social, economic and environmental impacts of quarrying limestone. Explain which impacts are benefits and which are problems. (4 marks)
Environmental problems – takes up land space, making land unavailable for other uses such as farming and recreation; fuel used in the transport of quarried rock produces carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Economic benefit – exporting limestone brings in money for the company, and so contributes to the nation’s economy. Economic problem – tourism may decline as a result of quarrying, so reducing the income of local amenities. Social problem – noise and increased traffic in the area around the quarry. Social benefit – the quarry may create new jobs for local people.
Describe the appearance of cement. (1 mark)
Cement is a grey powder.
List the raw materials used for making mortar and cement. (2 marks)
Mortar – cement, sand, and water;
concrete – cement, sand, aggregate (small stones), water
What happens inside mortar and concrete to make them harden? (2 marks)
Mortar and concrete set when substances in the mixture react with each other.
Describe the pattern shown by the thermal decomposition reactions of metal carbonates. (2 marks)
The compounds at the top decompose less easily. The decomposition becomes easier as you go down the reactivity series towards the least reactive metals at the bottom.
What would you see and what is produced when copper carbonate reacts with dilute Hydrochloric acid?
Bubbles of gas and the powder dissolves
Copper chloride, carbon dioxide and water
