Answer:
CaCO₃ ------> CaO + CO₂
<em>Note: The breakdown products of solid calcium carbonate is not carbon dioxide gas, oxygen gas, and solid calcium. Rather, it is calcium oxide and carbon dioxide as shown in the reaction equation above.</em>
Explanation:
Calcium carbonate is a mineral which occurs in nature in rocks as calcite and limestone. It is also the main component of eggshells, snail shells, seashells and pearls. It has the molecular formula CaCO₃.
Calcium carbonate or limestone decomposes into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide when heated and the reaction is used to make quicklime and carbon dioxide gas. The equation of the reaction is given below:
CaCO₃ ------> CaO + CO₂
Calcium oxide, one of the products of The decomposition reaction is known as lime and is an important mineral used for many purposes such as reducing the acidity of soils, in the production of limelight, as well as serving as the main ingredient in cement.
The main use of calcium carbonate is in the construction industry as an ingredient of cement. Calcium carbonate is also an important mineral required by sea organisms for making their shells.
