Group 2: Alkaline earth metals
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What happens during the thermal decomposition of limestone to form lime and the subsequent formation of slaked lime with water?
Igloo writes
Limestone is a form of calcium carbonate, so the first reaction is a thermal decomposition of this solid, giving lime (calcium oxide) and carbon dioxide:
CaCO3(s) -> CaO(s) + CO2(g)
When water reacts with the solid lime residue, a hydration process occurs, forming slaked lime (calcium hydroxide):
CaO(s) + H2O(l) -> Ca(OH) 2(s)
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updated: 30 September 2004
