Limestone and building materials

Limestone= CaCO3

CaCO3 breaks down in to calcium oxide and carbon dioxide

Calcium oxide reacts with water to produce calcium hydroxide 

Limestone + it's products can be used to make: cement, concrete and mortar

Thermal decomposition

Calcium carbonate (Limestone) is broken down when heated very strongly- thermal decomposition.Other metal carbonates decompose like this e.g:

Calcium Carbonate -------> calcium oxide + carbon dioxide

Metals high up the reactivity series need a lot of energy to break them apart. Metals lower down the reactivity series are easier to decompose.

- Sodium carbonate- Magnesium carbonate- Copper carbonate

Uses of Limestone

Reactions with acids:Limestone reacts with acids to produce salt, carbon dioxide and water. It fizzes when reacting with the acid. Therefore Limestone is damaged by acid rain. 

Calcium Hydroxide:If Limestone is heated strongly then the calcium carbonate decomposes to become calcium oxide. This reacts with water to become Calcium Hydroxide (an alkali) and is used to neutralise lakes and soils affected by acid rain.

Cement, Mortar and ConcreteCement is made from heating powdered Limestone with clay. Mortar and concrete are then formed from cement.

Advantages of using cement- Concrete is easily formed into many shapes before becoming hard.- Very strong when reinforced with steel.

Disadvantages of using concrete- Concrete reacts with the carbon dioxide in rainwater and wears away. Needs repairing. - Weak when bent or stretched if not reinforced.- Ugly.

Advantages of Quarrying

Quarrying

Disadvantages of Quarrying

Gets us valuable resources (e.g. concrete) 

Supports economy with employment

Can permanently ruin landscape

Noise and heavy traffic ruin quality of life.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa/limestone/calciumcarbonate/quiz/q91545775/

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Limestone

Thermal Decomposition

Uses of Limestone

Quarrying

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