Using Limestone Flashcards
What is limestone mostly made of? and What is it often formed from?
Mostly Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3
Formed from sea shells
When limestone is heated it [ ] to make calcium [ ] and [ ]
Thermally decomposes
Calcium Oxide
Carbon dioxide
Calcium Oxide = (Formula and common name)
CaO and Quicklime
What other materials thermally decompose in the same way as limestone?
Magnesium, Copper, Zinc and Sodium CArbonates
Why can’t you thermally decompose some materials with a Bunsen burner?
Doesn’t get hot enough
Calcium Carbonate reacts with acid to make a calcium [ ], carbon dioxide and [ ]
salt
water
The type of salt depends on the type of [ ]
acid
Calcium Oxide reacts with water to produce [ ].
calcium hydroxide
Calcium hydroxide = (Formula and common name)
Ca(OH)2 and Slaked lime
Calcium hydroxide is an alkali/acid
alkali
Calcium hydroxide can be used to neutralise…
acidic soil
What is an advantage of using Calcium hydroxide over powdered limestone to neutralise acidic soil?
Calcium hydroxide works much FASTER
Calcium hydroxide can also be used in a test for [ ]
Carbon Dioxide
How do you use Calcium hydroxide to test for Carbon Dioxide?
If you make a solution of Calcium hydroxide in water (lime water) and bubble gas through it, the solution will turn cloudy if there’s CO2 in the gas
The cloudiness is caused by the formation of Calcium Carbontate
Calcium hydroxide reacts with [ ] to create Calcium hydroxide solution which is called…
water
Lime water or Ca(OH)2 (aq)
How do you make CEMENT?
Powdered Limestone is heated in a kiln with powdered CLAY
How do you make MORTAR?
Cement is mixed with sand and water
What else can you use to make MORTAR?
Calcium hydroxide
How do you make CONCRETE?
Mix cement with sand and aggregate
What is aggregate?
Water and gravel
What are the disadvantages of quarrying limestone? (5)
Makes a huge, ugly hole, which permanently change the landscape
Quarrying processes, like blasting rocks with explosives, create dust and noise
Destroys the habitats of animals and birds
Limestone transported away in lorries creates noise and pollution
Waste materials produce unsightly tips
How does making stuff from limestone create pollution? (2)
Cement factories make a lot of dust, which can cause breathing problems
Energy is needed to produce cement and quicklime. The energy is likely to come from burning fossil fuels which causes pollution
Advantages of using limestone (5)
Provides material for roads, buildings. Chemicals used in making dyes, paints and medicines also come from limestone.
Limestone products neutralise acidic soil. Acidity in lakes and rivers caused y acid rain is also neutralised by limestone
Used in power station chimneys to neutralise sulphur dioxide (causes acid rain)
Quarrying provides jobs -> More money for the local economy -> local improvements (roads)
Landscaping and restoration after quarrying is part of the planning permission
4 Advantages of limestone as a building material
Widely available
Cheaper than granite or marble
Fairly easy rock to cut
Can be more hard-wearing than marble
Concrete : Advantage (4)
Disadvantage (2)
Advantage: Quick, cheap, poured into any shape mould, doesn’t corrode
Disadvantage: Ugly, low tensile strength
Advantage of Limestone, concrete and cement (Erosion) (3)
Doesn’t rot (unlike wood)
Can’t be gnawed by insects or rodents
Fire-resistant
