The formations are made of crystals of the insoluble compound calcium carbonate, CaCO3(s), also known as?

Question

limestones. Calcium carbonate forms when dissolved carbon dioxide and calcium ions combine, according to the followingequilibrium:

CaCO3(s) +2H9(aq) = Ca2+(aq) +H2O(l) + CO2(g)

Use the Le Chateliers principle to answer the follwing:
a) How would the stalagmites and stalacties be affected if the water in the cave became more acidic?

b) How would the hardness of the water [Ca2+(aq)] affect the growth of stalagmites and stalacties?

Answer 1

In more acidic water, more of the calcium carbonate would be converted to Ca+2 ions and carbonic acid. Carbonic acid then dissociates to water and carbon dioxide.

As the hardness of water due to ionic calcium increases, the rate of formation of stalagmites and stalactites would increase and visa versa. If the concentration of calcium ions decrease, the rate of formation would also decrease. Rate of formation is related to how quickly carbon ion combines with carbon dioxide so the amounts of carbon dioxide would have to be non limiting for the general relationship outlined above to occur.

Answer 2

CaCO3(s) + 2H+ <===> Ca2+(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

a. The H+ concentration on the left would increase, shifting the equilibrium to the right. A shift to the right means dissolving limestone.

b. Hardness is presence of dissolved Ca2+(aq) ions in the water (Mg2+ too, in the sense that the word hardness is usually used). So increased hardness would shift the equilibrium to the left, resulting in creased formation of limestone.

Answer 3

some blatent incorrect solutions there, 25% threat of guessing the main remarkable answer yet you surely chosen the main soluable, this is potassium nitrate. The above individual is thoroughly precise^^ with calcium carbonate.