Reacting acids with carbonates
3 marks · NormalA student adds powdered calcium carbonate to an excess of dilute nitric acid in a beaker. Bubbles of gas are observed.
State the chemical names of the three products formed in this reaction.
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calcium nitrate, carbon dioxide, water
Also accept: calcium nitrate, water, carbon dioxide; water, carbon dioxide, calcium nitrate; carbon dioxide, water, calcium nitrate
Common mistakes: naming calcium nitrite instead of calcium nitrate; listing incorrect products such as calcium oxide; omitting one of the products
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Marking points
B1 · 1 mark · calcium nitrate identified as a product
B2 · 1 mark · carbon dioxide identified as a product
B3 · 1 mark · water identified as a product
Worked solution
The general reaction between a carbonate and a dilute acid forms a salt, carbon dioxide, and water.
Here, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) reacts with nitric acid (HNO3):
The three products formed are:
- calcium nitrate (the salt)
- carbon dioxide (a gas, seen as bubbles)
- water