Activity 1.

3
Thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate
Skills
AO3.1 Demonstrate knowledge of how to safely use techniques, apparatus and
materials (including following a sequence of instructions where appropriate)
AO3.3 Make and record observations, measurements and estimates
AO3.4 Interpret and evaluate experimental observations and data

Limestone is a common rock. It is also a very useful material. It is used for building and road making, for
example, and also as a starting material for making many other products. This activity illustrates some of the
chemistry of limestone (calcium carbonate) and other materials made from it.
Calcium carbonate is heated strongly until it undergoes thermal decomposition to form calcium oxide
and carbon dioxide. The calcium oxide (unslaked lime) is dissolved in water to form calcium hydroxide
(limewater). Bubbling carbon dioxide through this forms a milky suspension of calcium carbonate.
Apparatus and chemicals
tripod dropping pipette
gauze filter funnel, small
Bunsen burner filter paper
tongs calcium carbonate
2 boiling tubes Universal Indicator solution
drinking straw

Safety
Wear eye protection and take care handling hot apparatus. Do not touch the lime that is formed from heating
calcium carbonate: it will be hot after heating and lime is an irritant even when it is cool.
Practical points
It is important to heat very strongly with the hottest part of the Bunsen flame, otherwise the bright white
‘limelight’ may not be achieved. It is also important, for the later observations and for safety, that the lime
formed is allowed to cool before continuing with adding water.
Method
1 Prepare a tabulated results sheet before starting the experiments.

2 Set a lump of calcium carbonate on a gauze. If your gauze has a coated central circle, use the edge where
there is no coating.
3 Heat the chalk very strongly for 5–10 minutes. Write down what you observe. (If possible, darken the
room and note what happens when the flame is trained directly on the lumps. It may be possible to see
the lumps glowing – this is the origin of the term ‘limelight’. Limelight was once used to illuminate theatre
performances.)
4 Let the chalk cool and use tongs to move it into a boiling tube. Add 2–3 drops of water with a dropping
pipette. Write down your observations.

© Cambridge University Press 2014 IGCSE Chemistry Activities: Chapter 1 4

 5 Add about 10 cm3 more water to the solid. What happens now?
6 Filter half the mixture into the other boiling tube and, using a drinking straw, gently blow a stream of
bubbles through the filtrate. What do you see?
7 Test the remaining half of the mixture with Universal Indicator solution. Write down what you observe.
Results

Method Observation

Heat for 10 minutes.

Add 2–3 drops of water.

Add 10 cm3 more water.

Blow bubbles through the

solution.

Add Universal Indicator.

Conclusions
1 Why does the chalk crumble slightly on strong heating?

2 What type of reaction is taking place during the heating process? Write an equation for the reaction.

3 Why is steam evolved when drops of water are added? Write an equation for the reaction occurring.

4 Why does the limewater turn cloudy? Write an equation for the reaction which is occurring.

5 What does the colour change occurring when Universal Indicator is added tell you about the pH of the
solution? Explain why the pH would be expected to have this value.

© Cambridge University Press 2014 IGCSE Chemistry Activities: Chapter 1 5