Limestone is mainly composed of calcium carbonate CaCO3 from the shells of sea creatures.

It is quarried and the cut blocks can be used directly as a building material. For example, St Pauls Cathedral in London is made from limestone. Limestone rock is soft compared to rocks such as granite, which makes it easier to cut and shape. It is also fairly readily available.

Metal carbonates, including limestone, are attacked by acids: e.g. sulphuric acid + calcium carbonate calcium sulphate + water + carbon dioxide H2SO4 + CaCO3 CaSO4 + H2O + CO2 Acid rain may contain sulphuric acid, from sulphur dioxide dissolving in rain droplets: Acid rain is therefore capable of slowly weathering limestone buildings and monuments, which is a disadvantage of this building material.

Many metals form compounds called carbonates they contain carbon and oxygen as well as the metal. Here are some names and formulae:

Magnesium carbonate Barium carbonate Sodium carbonate

MgCO3 BaCO3 Na2CO3

Potassium carbonate Copper carbonate Zinc carbonate

K2CO3 CuCO3 ZnCO3

Many carbonates decompose when heated in a Bunsen flame to give the metal oxide and carbon dioxide gas. The carbonates of metals in Group 2 and Transition metal carbonates both do this e.g.

metal carbonate metal oxide + carbon dioxide

e.g. magnesium carbonate magnesium oxide + carbon dioxide MgCO3 MgO + CO2

Reactions like this, where a compound breaks up when heated are called THERMAL DECOMPOSITIONS Some metal carbonates (e.g. sodium carbonate) dont compose when heated with a Bunsen they require much higher temperatures to decompose.

Social Impacts of quarrying limestone:

ADVANTAGES Better employment for local people by quarry company Growth of local community and perhaps investment in social facilities, more shops etc. May develop better rail links if stone carried by rail DISADVANTAGES Homes close by affected dust and noise Health of people affected by dust and/or noise Limestone often found in areas of natural beauty loss of tourism Increased traffic to/from quarry delays, noise

You dont have to learn these exact advantages and disadvantages but you do need to be able to suggest what advantages and disadvantages there may be in a given situation, perhaps based on some specific text information, or perhaps just in general terms.

Economic Impacts of quarrying limestone:

ADVANTAGES Profit for company extracting limestone so wages for their employees Employees spend money in local shops DISADVANTAGES Tourism income may be decreased Disruption of traditional businesses e.g. farming with loss of profit Traffic jams etc. cause loss of business hours for other companies

More people move into the area for jobs so more money being spent locally
Cheaper supply of limestone and limestone products for local businesses which use it

You dont have to learn these exact advantages and disadvantages but you do need to be able to suggest what advantages and disadvantages there may be in a given situation, perhaps based on some specific text information, or perhaps just in general terms.

Environmental Impacts of quarrying limestone:

ADVANTAGES Conservation schemes required of quarry company may improve protection of rare/endangered species DISADVANTAGES Loss of animal and plant habitats causing reduced numbers Dust and noise affecting people and wildlife alike Rare or endangered species might die out Increased traffic causing pollution of air (CO, nitrogen oxides, dust)

Area might be restored after quarrying complete

You dont have to learn these exact advantages and disadvantages but you do need to be able to suggest what advantages and disadvantages there may be in a given situation, perhaps based on some specific text information, or perhaps just in general terms.

As we have seen, calcium oxide is formed when limestone is heated strongly: calcium carbonate CaCO3 calcium oxide CaO + carbon dioxide + CO2

Quicklime reacts with water to produce calcium hydroxide in an exothermic reaction (heat given out, which can cause burns). calcium oxide + CaO + water H2O calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 [Exothermic]

For this reasons farmers prefer to use calcium hydroxide rather than calcium oxide for treating soil which is too acidic, although either would do the job perfectly well because both are bases which can neutralise acids.

Calcium hydroxide is also used for remediation of lakes or rivers which have become too acidic due to acid rain.

Calcium hydroxide is a white solid

A solution of calcium hydroxide is colourless, and is called limewater. This is used to test for the presence of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide turns a solution of limewater milky if the limewater is shaken with the gas, or the gas is bubbled through. This is because the carbon dioxide reacts with the calcium hydroxide to form a precipitate of calcium carbonate.

CO2

Ca(OH)2 + CO2

CaCO3 + H2O
limewater

We have seen that in a cycle of reactions, calcium carbonate can be turned into calcium oxide, which can be turned into calcium hydroxide, which can be turned back into calcium carbonate

reaction: Ca(OH)2 + CO2 CaCO3

limestone

+ H2O
CaCO3

reaction: CaCO3 CaO

CO2

BUBBLE CO2 THROUGH

Heat strongly

limewater

The limestone cycle

DISSOLVE & FILTER ADD WATER

quicklime calcium oxide

slaked lime calcium hydroxide

reaction:

CaO + H2O Ca(OH)2

Mortar The ancients used calcium oxide, mixed with water, as a coating materials for building such as the Pyramids.
Calcium oxide mixed with sand and water forms lime mortar which was used for joining blocks of brick or stone together, however lime mortar needs carbon dioxide to be available in order to set so it doesnt set under wet conditions. Lime mortar sets because the calcium oxide reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide, which then reacts slowly with carbon dioxide to form calcium carbonate the mineral in limestone. Ca(OH)2 + CO2 CaCO3 + H2O In other words as mortar sets a rock-like material is formed which bonds the blocks together. The Romans first made mortar which could set when wet, by adding volcanic ash or brick dust to the mortar mixture. Modern mortars are made by using cement and sand.

Cement is a powdered mixture of clay and limestone which has been roasted in a kiln at high temperature. Cement is mixed with sand to make mortar which will set when wet (unlike the lime mortar used in ancient times). This is used for bonding together bricks or stone blocks in buildings. Cement is also used to make concrete The Portland Cement which is used today has been developed over the years to optimise its properties endurance, speed of setting etc. It contains a variety of other minerals as well as clay and limestone in order to obtain these special properties.

Concrete is a made from a mixture of: sand cement small stones / crushed rock water
Concrete sets to form a hard stone-like material which is very useful for building since it can be moulded before it sets.

Concrete is especially strong in resisting crushing forces (i.e.under compression) so its good to use for pillars which will support weight. Concrete can be made stronger in resisting stretching forces (i.e. under tension) by pouring the concrete mixture into a mould which contains a network of steel bars this is reinforced concrete

Glass is made from a powdered mixture of: limestone + sand + sodium carbonate Very strong heating is required to melt and react these materials and form a viscous liquid which can be blown or moulded.
Glass, like polymers, can be developed to have specific properties which make it suitable for different applications. e.g. high refractive index glass for lightweight spectacle lenses toughened glass for automotive windscreens Pyrex glass for heat-proof ovenware Glass is an important architectural material, being relatively light, weatherproof, and transparent. Its strength is sufficient to allow extensive use in modern buildings.

You might also like to find out about special glasses such as Pilkingtons selfcleaning glass. See www.pilkingtonselfcleaningglass.co.uk