Limestone Flashcards
What is the word equation for the thermal decomposition of limestone?
Calcium carbonate - Calcium Oxide + Carbon Dioxide
What is the symbol equation for the thermal decomposition of limestone?
CaCO3 - CaO + CO2
What other metal carbonates thermally decompose the same way as calcium?
Magnesium
Copper
Zinc
Sodium
What happens when a metal carbonate reacts with an acid?
A metal salt, carbon dioxide and water are formed
Give the word equation for when calcium carbonate reacts with sulfuric acid?
Calcium carbonate + sulfuric acid - calcium sulfate + carbon dioxide + water
What is the symbol equation when calcium carbonate reacts with sulfuric acid?
CaCO3 + H2SO4 - CaSO4 + CO2 + H2O
What is the word equation when calcium oxide reacts with water?
Calcium Oxide + Water - Calcium Hydroxide
What is the symbol equation when calcium oxide reacts with water?
CaO + H2O - Ca(OH)2
What is calcium hydroxide used for?
Calcium hydroxide is an alkali which can be used to neutralise acidic soils
Why is calcium hydroxide used for neutralising soils rather than powdered limestone?
Calcium hydroxide works much faster than powdered limestone
How is calcium hydroxide used to test for carbon dioxide?
Make a solution of calcium hydroxide in water, bubble a gas through, if carbon dioxide is present solution goes cloudy
Why does limewater go cloudy when carbon dioxide is present?
The cloudiness is caused by the formation of calcium carbonate
What is the word equation for the presence of carbon dioxide in limewater?
Calcium Hydroxide + Carbon Dioxide - Calcium Carbonate + Water
What is the symbol equation for the presence of carbon dioxide in limewater?
Ca(OH)2 + CO2 - CaCO + H2O
What is a use of limestone?
Limestone can be made into blocks for building with
How can cement be made from limestone?
Powdered limestone + Powdered clay heated in a kiln makes cement
How is cement used to make mortar?
Cement mixed with sand and water creates mortar
What is mortar?
The stuff you stick bricks together with
How is cement used to make concrete?
Cemented mixed with sand and aggregate creates concrete
What is aggregate?
Water and gravel
Disadvantages of quarrying limestone
Make huge ugly holes - landscape A lot of noise and dust Destroys habitats Transportation - noise, pollution and traffic Waste materials - unsightly tips
Disadvantage of making stuff from limestone
Cements factories make a lot of dust which can cause breathing problems
Energy is needed to produce cement&quicklime - energy comes from burning fossil fuels - pollution
Advantages of quarrying limestone
Makes houses and roads Makes dyes, paints and medicines Neutralise acid soils and lakes Neutralise sulfur dioxide in powerstation chimney Brings jobs and money to local economy
Advantages of limestone as a product
Widely Available Easy to cut Cheaper than granite or marble More hard-wearing than marble Looks attractive
