Question

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

Answer 1

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.