Limestone & Building Materials

C1.2 Limestone & Building Materials

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Limestone CaCo3

  • Limestone is a sedimentary rock consisting mainly of calcium carbonate.
  • It is Cheap.
  • It is Easy to obtain
  • It has many uses.
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Limestone as a Building Material

  • Limestone can be quarried
  • Limestone can be cut into blocks
  • Limestone can be used to build houses.
  • It can be eroded by acid rain however this is a very slow process.
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Heating Limestone

  • Calcium Carbonate (Caco3) is heated in a kiln.
  • When Calcium Carbonate is heated in a kiln it Decomposes (Thermal Decomposition)
  • Thermal Decomposition causes Calcium Carbonate to Break Down into Calcium Oxide and Carbon Dioxide.
  • Magnesium, Copper, Zinc, Calcium and Sodium carbonates all decompose in a simlar way. 
  • Some Carbonates may not decompose at the temperature of a Bunsen Burner (E.g Group 1)
  • Calcium Oxide can be reacted with water to produce calcium hydroxide. 
  • Calcium Hydroxide can be used to neutralise soils and lakes, preventing crop failure. 
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Making Cement, Mortar and Concrete

  • Powdered Limestone is roasted in a rotary kilm with powdered clay to produce dry cement.
  • When sand and water are mixed in, mortar is produced. 
  • Mortar can be used to hold bricks and stones together.
  • When aggregate, sand and water are mixed in, concrete is then produced
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