Chemistry: Limestone and building materials

Calcium carbonate

Limestone is mainly calcium carbonate, CaCO3 which breaks down when heated to form calcium oxide and carbon dioxide (thermal decomposition)

Calcium oxide + water forms calcium hydroxide

Limestone and its products have many uses including cement, mortar and concrete. 

Calcium carbonate --- (heat) ----> calcium oxide + carbon dioxide

Other metal carbonates decompose in the same way, including sodium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and copper carbonate. 

Metals high up in the reactivity series need a lot of energy to decompose them. 

Metals low down in the reactivity series have carbonates that are easily decomposed. 

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