Limestone And Its Uses

Question 1

Demonstrate an understanding of the balance between the demand for limestone and the economic, social and environmental effects of quarrying.

Answer 1

Limestone is used for construction, concrete, cement, glass and making steel and iron alloys.
Economic effects: expensive
Environmental effects: destroys habitats and is causes pollution eg. Through lorries
Social effects: noisy, it creates jobs

Question 2

Demonstrate an understanding of the commercial need for quarrying calcium carbonate on a large scale, as a raw material for the formation of glass, cement and concrete.

Answer 2

Cement is made by heating limestone with powered clay.
Concrete is made by mixing cement with sand, gravel and water.
Glass is made by heating limestone with sand and sodium carbonate.

Question 3

Describe the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate.

Answer 3

Limestone, chalk and marble are natural sources of calcium carbonate. When heated strongly, calcium carbonate breaks down (decomposes) to form calcium oxide and carbon dioxide.
Calcium carbonate–> calcium oxide + carbon dioxide
Thermal decomposition of limestone is used in the manufacturing of cement and glass.

Question 4

Test for carbon dioxide

Answer 4

Limewater turns milky.