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Calcium Carbonate - Structure, Formula, Preparation, Properties, Uses, FAQs

Calcium Carbonate - Structure, Formula, Preparation, Properties, Uses, FAQs

Team Careers360Updated on 02 Jul 2025, 04:43 PM IST

Calcium carbonate is an inorganic chemical compound. The chemical formula of calcium carbonate CaCO3 or CaCO3 where calcium formula is Ca. Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound that is one of the most commonly seen chemical compounds. It can also be found in the earth's crust. It can also be found in a variety of different materials, such as marbles and limestone. Despite the fact that they come in numerous forms, they are chemically similar and only differ physically. Calcium carbonate, which is non-toxic, odorless which occurs naturally in the form of limestones, chalks, marbles, as well as pearls. The limestone formula or limestone chemical formula is the same as CaCO3.

This Story also Contains

  1. Structure of calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
  2. Occurrence of calcium carbonate
  3. Preparation of CaCO3
  4. Commercial production of calcium carbonate
  5. Properties of calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
  6. Application of calcium carbonate
Calcium Carbonate - Structure, Formula, Preparation, Properties, Uses, FAQs
Calcium Carbonate

The active element in agricultural lime is calcium carbonate, which is formed when calcium ions combine with carbonate ions in hard water to generate limescale. It can be used as a calcium supplement or an antacid in the medical setting, although excessive ingestion can be harmful and lead to poor digestion. Since the chemical name of chalk is calcium carbonate thus calcium carbonate common name is chalk.

Structure of calcium carbonate (CaCO3)

Under normal conditions, CaCO3 (the mineral calcite) has a thermodynamically stable hexagonal shape. Other forms, such as denser 2.83g/cm3 orthorhombic CaCO3 as well as hexagonal CaCO3, are possible. It is feasible to prepare aragonite at temperatures exceeding 85°C along with vaterite at 60°C, for example. Calcite has calcium atoms coordinated with six oxygen atoms, while aragonite has nine oxygen atoms coordinated. The vaterite's chemical composition is unknown.

Magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) has a calcite structure, but strontium carbonate (SrCO3) and barium carbonate (BaCO3) have an aragonite structure, which reflects their greater ionic radii.

calcium carbonate

Occurrence of calcium carbonate

  1. Geological Sources: Calcite, aragonite, and vaterite are pure calcium carbonate minerals found in nature. Limestones, chalks, travertines, and marbles are examples of industrially significant calcium carbonate source rocks. Corals thrive in warm, clear tropical waters rather than the frigid waters of the polar regions. Since the ample light and filterable food, calcium carbonate sources such as planktons (coccoliths and planktic foraminifera), sponges, echinoderms, coral algae and mollusks are typically found in shallow water locations.
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  1. Biological Sources: Calcium carbonate is found in eggshells, snail shells, and most seashells, and it is also a commercial source of this chemical. Oyster shells have recently been recognized as a dietary calcium source as well as a useful industrial source. On a diet, dark green vegetables like broccoli and kale contain a lot of calcium carbonate, but they aren't useful as an industrial supply.

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Commonly Asked Questions

Q: How is calcium carbonate formed naturally?
A:
Calcium carbonate is formed naturally through various processes, including:
Q: What is the relationship between calcium carbonate and limestone?
A:
Limestone is a sedimentary rock primarily composed of calcium carbonate. It forms over millions of years through the accumulation and compaction of marine organisms' shells and skeletons, as well as through chemical precipitation of CaCO3 from water. The calcium carbonate in limestone can exist in different crystalline forms, mainly calcite and aragonite.
Q: What is the role of calcium carbonate in the formation of stalactites and stalagmites?
A:
Calcium carbonate plays a crucial role in the formation of stalactites and stalagmites in caves:
Q: How does calcium carbonate contribute to the strength of mollusk shells?
A:
Calcium carbonate contributes to mollusk shell strength through:
Q: How does the presence of calcium carbonate affect soil pH?
A:
Calcium carbonate in soil acts as a pH buffer, helping to neutralize acidic conditions. When soil acidity increases, CaCO3 dissolves and releases carbonate ions, which react with hydrogen ions to form bicarbonate. This process helps maintain soil pH in a range suitable for plant growth and microbial activity.

Preparation of CaCO3

  1. Carbon dioxide and slaked lime are used as raw materials to make CaCO3. Calcite is formed when carbon dioxide is transported through slaked lime.

Adding sodium carbonate to calcium chloride is another way to produce calcite.

Ca (OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + H2O

CaCl2 + Na2CO3 → CaCO3 + 2NaCl

  1. Calcium hydrogen-carbonate is formed when there is an excess of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It's made by passing carbon dioxide gas through calcium hydroxide on a big scale (slaked lime). Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, creates the soluble calcium hydrogen-carbonate when it is released in excess.

Ca(OH)2 + CO2→ CaCO3 + H2O

Commercial production of calcium carbonate

Commercially available calcium carbonate comes in two grades. In the industrial world, both classes compete primarily on particle size and product attributes.

  1. Ground Calcium carbonate: This is made by extracting and processing naturally occurring calcium carbonate deposits. The form of GCC crystals is irregularly rhombohedral, with a wider size distribution.

CaCO3+H2SO4 → CaSO4+H2O+CO2

  1. Precipitated Calcium carbonate: It is produced by a by-product of some bulk chemical operations. The shape of PCC crystals varies depending on product, along with particle is more homogenous as well as regular, with restricted size distribution.

PCC has smaller particles, is purer, is less abrasive, and has a brighter appearance than GCC.

CaCO3 Limestone CaO+CO2

Calcium carbonate produces carbon dioxide when it reacts with dilute acids.

CaCO3 + 2HCl → CaCl2 + H2O +CO2

Related Topics

Commonly Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between precipitated calcium carbonate and ground calcium carbonate?
A:
Precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) is synthetically produced through chemical processes, resulting in pure, uniform particles with controlled size and shape. Ground calcium carbonate (GCC) is obtained by mechanical grinding of natural limestone or marble. PCC typically has higher purity and more consistent properties than GCC.
Q: What is the environmental impact of calcium carbonate mining?
A:
The environmental impact of calcium carbonate mining includes:
Q: What are the industrial uses of calcium carbonate?
A:
Calcium carbonate has numerous industrial applications, including:
Q: What is the significance of calcium carbonate in the cement industry?
A:
Calcium carbonate is a crucial raw material in cement production:
Q: How does calcium carbonate interact with phosphates in wastewater treatment?
A:
In wastewater treatment, calcium carbonate can interact with phosphates through:

Properties of calcium carbonate (CaCO3)

  1. Calcium carbonate is a fluffy calcium powder that decomposes into carbon dioxide when heated to 1200 K.
  2. When it reacts with dilute acid, it produces carbon dioxide as a by-product.
  3. At a temperature of 1200 K, calcium carbonate decomposes into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide.
  4. When carbon dioxide reacts with dilute acids, calcium carbonate is generated.
  5. At a temperature of 1200 K, calcium carbonate decomposes into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide.
  6. When carbon dioxide reacts with dilute acids, calcium carbonate is generated.
  7. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) has a molecular weight of 100.0869 g/mol.
  8. CaCO3 has a molar mass of 100.0869 g/mol.

Application of calcium carbonate

  1. The pulp and paper industry uses a lot of calcium carbonate. It can be used as a filter and a pigment, resulting in a whiter, higher-quality pigment than other minerals.
  2. It is used in construction industry as filler in concrete to improve its durability and aesthetics, as well as to cleanse metals for use in construction applications.
  3. Calcium carbonate is also used in fertilizers to deliver calcium to plants and to keep the pH of the soil stable.
  4. Calcium carbonate can be used as a supplement in vitamins and as a food ingredient for livestock and people.
  5. Calcium carbonate is used in water and wastewater treatment plants to remove acidity and pollutants.

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Commonly Asked Questions

Q: What is the role of calcium carbonate in the carbon cycle?
A:
Calcium carbonate plays a crucial role in the carbon cycle by:
Q: What is the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate?
A:
The thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate occurs at high temperatures (around 825°C) and produces calcium oxide (quicklime) and carbon dioxide:
Q: How does calcium carbonate contribute to water hardness?
A:
Calcium carbonate contributes to water hardness by dissolving in water to release Ca2+ ions. These calcium ions, along with magnesium ions, are responsible for the formation of scale in pipes and reduced effectiveness of soaps and detergents.
Q: What is the role of calcium carbonate in biological systems?
A:
Calcium carbonate plays several important roles in biological systems:
Q: How does ocean acidification affect calcium carbonate formation in marine ecosystems?
A:
Ocean acidification, caused by increased CO2 absorption, lowers the pH of seawater. This reduces the availability of carbonate ions and makes it more difficult for marine organisms to form calcium carbonate shells and structures. It can lead to the dissolution of existing calcium carbonate structures, affecting coral reefs and shellfish populations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the significance of calcium carbonate in the production of glass?
A:
Calcium carbonate is important in glass production because:
Q: How does calcium carbonate affect the buoyancy of marine organisms?
A:
Calcium carbonate affects the buoyancy of marine organisms by:
Q: How does calcium carbonate participate in carbon sequestration?
A:
Calcium carbonate participates in carbon sequestration through:
Q: What is the role of calcium carbonate in the production of Portland cement?
A:
Calcium carbonate plays a crucial role in Portland cement production:
Q: How does calcium carbonate affect the pH of soil and its impact on plant growth?
A:
Calcium carbonate affects soil pH and plant growth by:
Q: How does calcium carbonate interact with other minerals in natural water systems?
A:
Calcium carbonate interacts with other minerals in water systems through:
Q: How does calcium carbonate affect the properties of paper?
A:
Calcium carbonate affects paper properties in several ways:
Q: How does calcium carbonate participate in the formation of kidney stones?
A:
Calcium carbonate can contribute to kidney stone formation when:
Q: What is the relationship between calcium carbonate and marble?
A:
Marble is a metamorphic rock primarily composed of recrystallized calcium carbonate. It forms when limestone is subjected to high temperatures and pressures deep within the Earth. The recrystallization process results in interlocking calcite or dolomite crystals, giving marble its characteristic appearance and properties.
Q: How does calcium carbonate affect the taste of water?
A:
Calcium carbonate can affect the taste of water by:
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