C1.

2 Limestone
& building materials
Summary
Rocks provide essential building materials.
Limestone is a naturally occurring resource that
provides a starting point for the manufacture of
cement and concrete.
In this section you should be able to:

• know that limestone is needed for buildings and

that the positive benefits of using this material should
be considered against the negative aspects of
quarrying.

• consider and evaluate the environmental, social

and economic effects of exploiting limestone and
producing building materials from it.

• evaluate the developments in using limestone,

cement and concrete as building materials, and their
advantages and disadvantages over other materials.
Key words
Limestone
Decompose
Thermal decomposition
Salt
Cement
Concrete
Mortar

Chemical compounds
Calcium carbonate CaCO3
Calcium oxide CaO
Carbon dioxide CO2
Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)3
Limewater
Carbonates
What do these things have in common?
They are all mainly Calcium Carbonate!

CaCO3
Heating
limestone
You will need:
• PPE (lab coat and
goggles)
• Bunsen
• Tripod
• Crucible
• Pipe clay triangle
• Test tube rack
• Large test tube
• Distilled water
Limestone cycle Chemical names

Calcium Heat
Carbon Carbon
dioxide carbonate dioxide

Calcium Calcium
Hydroxide (aq) Oxide

Water
Water
Calcium
Hydroxide
Limestone cycle Chemical formula

Heat
CO2 CaCO3 CO2

Ca(OH)2 (aq)
CaO

Water
Water

Ca(OH)2
Limestone cycle Common names

Limestone Heat
CO2 CO2

Lime water Quick lime

Water
Water
Slaked lime
Limestone Chemical formula: This rock is extracted by Problems caused by extraction

Heating
produces Carbonates react
The proper name for with acid to form
Include name, this process is
formula and
nickname Benefits of extraction

Can be caused
by the
The same thing
Adding environmental
happens with other
water problem of
carbonates like
produces
Include name,
formula and Cement, mortar and concrete
nickname
Solution in water
Heating limestone
with clay
This is called….. produces…

It is useful for…
This can be used
for… This is mixed with Or with sand and
sand to make… aggregate (gravel +
crushed stone) to
make…
Limestone Chemical formula: This rock is extracted by Problems caused by
CaCO3 quarrying extraction
Heating Lorries – causing dust and
produces pollution in rural areas
Carbonates react
Dust
The proper name for with acid to form
Damages natural beauty of
Include name, this process is a salt (e.g.
area
formula and Thermal calcium chloride),
nickname decomposition CO2 and H2O Benefits of extraction
Quicklime Job creation
Calcium oxide Can be caused Limestone has uses in
CaO by the construction and in industry
The same thing e.g. manufacture toothpaste
Adding environmental
happens with other and cosmetics
water problem of acid
carbonates like
produces rain
magnesium carbonate,
Include name, zinc carbonate
formula and Cement, mortar and concrete
nickname Solution in water
Slaked lime Heating limestone
Calcium hydroxide with clay
Ca(OH)2 Calcium hydroxide produces…
dissolved in water is cement
called limewater
This can be used
It is useful as a test Or with sand and
for… This is mixed with
for the presence of aggregate (gravel +
Neutralising acid sand to make…
CO2 (goes cloudy) crushed stone) to
soils mortar
make… concrete
Q1. Limestone has been called the Earth’s most useful
rock.
(a) Limestone contains calcium carbonate, CaCO3.

(i) Complete the table to show the number of atoms of each

element in the formula of calcium carbonate.

Calcium has been done for you.

Element Number of atoms in the

formula CaCO3
Calcium, Ca 1

Carbon, C  

Oxygen, O  
(ii) The diagram below represents a carbon atom.
Use words from the box to label the parts of this atom.

bond electron molecule nucleus

(b) At a cement works, limestone is mixed with clay and heated in a
kiln.

Use the information in the diagram to answer these questions.

(i) Name the fuel that is used to heat the limestone and clay.
....................................................................................................................
.
(ii) Limestone contains calcium carbonate, CaCO 3.

Draw a ring around the correct gas in the box to complete the
sentence.

argon.
The gas formed when calcium carbonate carbon
decomposes is dioxide.
nitrogen.
(c) The cement works starts to burn a different fuel.

Local residents are concerned because more children are suffering asthma attacks.
Residents have also noticed that parked cars are becoming dirty because of smoke
particles from the chimney.

The table shows the possible medical risk from smoke particles.

Particle size in mm Medical effect

Larger than 0.4 No medical risks known

0.3 and smaller Causes asthma attacks

0.2 and smaller May cause cancer

(i) Give two reasons why local residents are concerned about the cement works
burning a different fuel.

1 ........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(ii) The company operating the cement works stated that smoke particles
from the chimney had not changed since it started burning the
different fuel.

If you were a local resident, what evidence would you like to see to
help you decide if the company’s statement is true or not?

..............................................................................................................
.............

..............................................................................................................
.............

..............................................................................................................
.............

..............................................................................................................
.............
(2)
(Total 10 marks)
 Limestone + clay = cement

Limestone + clay = cement

+ sand = mortar

Limestone + clay = cement

+ sand = mortar
+ aggregate =
concrete
+Can Consume
+Steve’s More
+Aunt Chocolate?
+Can Consume
+Steve’s More
+Aunt Chocolate?
+Can Consume
+Steve’s More
+Aunt Chocolate?
+Clay Cement
+Sand Mortar
+Aggregate Concrete
Other carbonates do the same

Thermal
Decomposition
When Limestone is heated…

Why does the mass decrease?