Limestone

• trend of stabilities of metal carbonates

  more reactive a metal is the more stable its metal carbonate is
• what happens when a metal carbonate is heated

  they undergo thermal decomposition to from their metal oxide and carbon dioxide
• relationship between stability and thermal decomposition

  more stable metal carbonate is the longer it will take for the compound to undergo thermal decomposition
• chemical name for limestone

  calcium carbonate
• chemical name for quicklime

  calcium oxide
• chemical name for slaked lime

  calcium hydroxide (solid)
• 4 reactions in limestone cycle

  . thermal decomposition of limestone into quicklime and CO2

  . quicklime and water form slaked lime an alkali

  . slaked lime dissolves in excess water and forms limewater

  . when CO2 is bubbled through limewater, limestone is formed
• which reaction in limestone cycle is endothermic

  thermal decomposition of limestone as heat is taken in as limestone decomposes
• reaction in limestone cycle which is exothermic

  quicklime + water --> slaked lime

  gives out heat to surroundings
• uses of limestone

  building material for buidings

  cement
• how is limestone used in soil

  to neutralise acidity - improves growth of crops
• advantages for quarrying limestone

  . provides jobs

  . can be tuned into a lake when no longer needed
• disadvantages of quarrying


  . causes noise

  . destroys animal habitats