What reaction occurs when calcium carbonate is treated (separately) with (i) nitric acid, and (ii) sulfuric acid?

1 Answer
Mar 4, 2017

Each acid liberates carbon dioxide............

Explanation:

#"With nitric acid:"#

#CaCO_3(s) + 2HNO_3(aq) rarr Ca(NO_3)_2(aq) + CO_2(g) uarr +H_2O(l)#

So we would see fizzing (i.e. the evolution of the gas), and the dissolution of solid carbonate. Calcium nitrate is soluble.

#"With sulfuric acid:"#

#CaCO_3(s) + 2H_2SO_4(aq) rarr Ca(SO_4)_2(s)darr + CO_2(g) uarr +H_2O(l)#

Again the gas would be liberated, but calcium sulfate is only very moderately soluble in aqueous media. I would expect to see the solid salt to go up, and then reprecipitate as the sulfate.

Nothing of what I write here is a substitute for actually doing the experiment in a laboratory, and observing and recording the results.