Chapter 4

Rocks and minerals

4.1 Rocks as a source of minerals
4.2 Extraction of metals from their ores
4.3 Limestone, chalk and marble
4.4 Weathering and erosion of rocks
4.5 Chemical changes involving calcium carbonate
4.6 Tests for the presence of calcium and carbonate in a
sample of limestone/chalk/marble

Learning goal
After studying this chapter, you should be able to:

4.1 • recognize that rocks are an important source of minerals

4.2 • distinguish between physical change and chemical change

• describe chemical changes using word equations

• describe the methods for the extraction of metals from their ores such as the physical method,
heating alone and heating with carbon

4.3 • recognize that limestone, chalk and marble are different forms of calcium carbonate in nature

4.4 • understand that chemicals may change through the actions of heat, water and acids

4.5 • list the products of thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate

• demonstrate how to carry out the test for carbon dioxide

4.6 • demonstrate how to carry out tests for the presence of calcium and carbonate in a sample
Chapter 4 Rocks and minerals

Hong Kong Geopark is made up of eight areas distributed across Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region
2
and Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region. It covers about 50 km of land.

Hexagonal columns in Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region Sedimentary rocks in Tung Ping Chau of Northeast New
Territories Sedimentary Rock Region

Rock is usually a mixture of minerals from the Earth’s crust which contains compounds of
different elements. These elements include aluminium, iron, calcium, potassium, sodium,
magnesium, silicon, oxygen, etc. Many different elements and useful chemicals can be extracted
from rocks.

Think about...
What is a rock?
A rock is a solid mass of a mineral or a mixture of minerals.

What is the chemical composition of rocks?

Rocks have varied chemical compositions.
What are the common methods used to extract metals from ores?
Common methods used to extract metals from ores are: mechanical separation, heating the metal ore alone, heating the metal ore with
carbon and electrolysis of the molten ore.
After studying this chapter, you should be able to answer the above questions.

extract 提取 Hong Kong Geopark 香港地質公園

hexagonal column 六角柱 sedimentary rock 沉積岩
 4 Rocks and minerals

4.1 Rocks as a source of minerals

PowerPoint
The Earth’s crust is made up of rocks and soils. Soils mainly come from
the breakdown of rocks.

Learning tip What are rocks and minerals?

Silicon and oxygen are
the two abundant A rock is a solid mass of a mineral or a mixture of minerals. Minerals
elements that form the are naturally occurring chemicals. They may be elements, like gold and
major types of minerals
in the Earth’s crust.
carbon (in diamond), which are found free in rocks. More commonly, they
are compounds.

The rock marble contains mostly the mineral calcite (Figure 4.1). The
chemical composition of calcite is calcium carbonate.

Figure 4.1 Calcite

The rock granite is a mixture of minerals. The three main minerals it

* Book 1, Section 9.3, p.10 contains are *quartz, feldspar and mica (Figure 4.2). Quartz is a compound
made up of silicon and oxygen. Mica and feldspar are two different types
of compounds, which are made up of silicon, oxygen and other elements.

Figure 4.2 Granite

calcite 方解石 quartz 石英 abundant 蘊藏量豐富 granite 花崗岩

calcium carbonate 碳酸鈣 rock 岩石 feldspar 長石 mica 雲母
3 4

mineral 礦物
 I Planet Earth

Minerals and ores

An ore is the type of rocks that contains minerals, from which a high
proportion of useful elements (usually contains metal) can be extracted.
Most of the metals used in daily life are extracted from their ores. Figure
4.3 shows some examples of common ores.

(a) Bauxite – the main ore of aluminium. (b) Copper pyrite – the main ore of copper.
It is mostly aluminium oxide. It is mostly copper iron sulphide.

Figure 4.3 Some examples (c) Haematite – the main ore of iron. It is (d) Galena – the main ore of lead. It is
of common ores. mostly iron(III) oxide. mostly lead(II) sulphide.

4.2 Extraction of metals from their ores

PowerPoint
Metals can be extracted from their ores by physical methods or chemical
methods. Before we go into details of these methods, we should know
more about physical changes and chemical changes.

Physical change
When a substance undergoes a physical change, some of its properties
(i.e. appearance and physical state) are changed. However, the substance
does not change to another substance.

Key point
A physical change is a change in which no new substances are
produced.

aluminium oxide 氧化鋁 copper iron sulphide 二硫化鐵銅 haematite 赤鐵礦 ore 礦石
4 4 bauxite 鋁土礦 copper pyrite 黃銅礦 iron(III) oxide 氧化鐵(III) physical change 物理變化
chemical change 化學變化 galena 方鉛礦 lead(II) sulphide 硫化鉛(II)
 4 Rocks and minerals

ice
For example, the melting of ice is a physical change. Even though ice
and water look different, they consist of identical particles, i.e. water
molecules (Figure 4.4). Change of state is a common example of physical
change, in which no new substances are produced. See Figure 4.5.

sublimation

solid gas
deposition
liquid water

n
Figure 4.4 Melting of ice is CE2006(II)4

tio
fre

sa
a physical change.

en
zin

g
me

nd

ilin
g

co
ltin
heat absorbed

bo
g
heat given out

Figure 4.5 Change of state is a common

liquid
example of physical change.

Note 1
More examples of physical changes:
• Cutting a piece of paper into two
halves (change in appearance)
• Grinding a tablet into powder in a
mortar (change in appearance)
• Dissolving some white sugar in
water (change in state)
Some substances such as dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) and iodine,
change directly from the solid state to the gaseous state on heating (Figure
4.6). This kind of change is called sublimation. Sublimation is also a
physical change. When the vapour is cooled, it changes to solid directly. N1
evaporating
dish
water

iodine solid

iodine
iodine solid
vapour
Figure 4.6 Iodine solid sublimes to form
vapour on heating. When in contact with a
cool surface, the iodine vapour changes Bunsen
back directly to iodine solid, without flame
passing through the liquid state.

Chemical change CE2005(II)25

When a substance undergoes a chemical change, it changes to one or

more new substances. For example, when a piece of paper burns, it
changes to carbon (black ashes), carbon dioxide and some other gases
(Figure 4.7). The products of burning are completely different from the
original paper.

Key point
Figure 4.7 Burning a piece A chemical change is a change in which one or more new substances
of paper is a chemical are produced.
change.

deposition 凝華 ash 灰燼
sublimation 昇華
5 4
 I Planet Earth

Note 2 The reaction between copper and chlorine is another example of

More examples of chemical changes
(the first three listed below using chemical change. The elements copper and chlorine are chemically N2
student’s previous knowledge combined to form a compound called copper(II) chloride (Figure 4.8).
acquired in lower forms):
• Digestion of food This reaction can be summarized by a word equation.
• Photosynthesis
• Acid-alkali neutralization ‘reacts with’ ‘to produce’
• Removing stain on clothes with
bleach
copper + chlorine copper(II) chloride
reactants product

combustion
spoon

copper
powder brown
chlorine
copper(II)
chloride

(a) (b)

Figure 4.8 The reaction between copper and chlorine is a chemical change.
(a) Heating copper powder to red hot (b) Reaction of hot copper with chlorine to form
brown copper(II) chloride.

Physical methods used to extract metals from

their ores
A few unreactive metals (e.g. gold and platinum) exist as free elements in
the Earth’s crust. They can be extracted by mechanical separation, e.g.
panning. See Figure 4.9.

Note 3
In the process of gold panning,
since gold has a high density, it
N3
will sink to the bottom on the
pan but other materials such as
sand and mud will be shaken
out of the pan.

Figure 4.9 Gold panning.

copper(II) chloride 氯化銅(II) panning 淘金

4 6 mechanical separation 物理分離法 word equation 文字方程式
 4 Rocks and minerals

Note 4
Detailed description of the Chemical methods used to extract metals from
various chemical methods used
for metal extraction will be their ores N4
discussed in Chapter 10.
Heating the metal ore alone
Some unreactive metals, such as mercury and silver, are extracted by
* Book 1, Section 10.3, p.8 *heating their ores in air. For example, silver can be extracted from
silver oxide (found in some silver ores) by heating it strongly in air.
heat
CE2005(I)2(a) silver oxide silver + oxygen

Heating the metal ore with carbon

* Book 1, Section 10.3, p.9
Some metals, such as zinc, iron and lead, are extracted by *heating their
ores with carbon. For example, lead can be extracted from lead(II) oxide
(found in some lead ores) by heating it with carbon strongly.
heat
lead(II) oxide + carbon lead + carbon dioxide

Electrolysis of the molten ore

* Book 1, Section 10.3, p.11
Some metals, such as sodium, magnesium and aluminium, are extracted
by *electrolysis of their molten ores. For example, aluminium is
extracted from aluminium oxide by passing electricity through it.
electrolysis
aluminium oxide aluminium + oxygen

STSE connections 4.1 PowerPoint

Regulation of mining and extracting chemicals

Before extracting useful metals from their minerals in the Earth’s
crust, the ores containing the minerals must be mined. Mining
for metal ores takes place on a large scale. Large-scale mining
has negative impacts on the environment.

In order to minimize the negative impacts, mining

companies in many countries are required to follow strict
environmental and rehabilitation regulations. For example:

• The mining companies have to submit environmental A copper mine in America.

protection plans, reclamation plans and environmental
impact assessment to the authority concerned when they
apply for mining permits.
• The mining companies have to monitor the impacts on the environment during and after the mining.

electrolysis 電解 silver oxide 氧化銀 conservation 保存 reclamation 開墾

lead(II) oxide 氧化鉛(II) mine 開礦；採礦 regulation 監管/法例
7 4

molten 熔融的
 I Planet Earth
A4.1
1. (a) Physical change. This is because
no new substances are produced
during the process.
(b) Chemical change. This is because
new substances, such as carbon,
carbon dioxide, etc. are produced
when paper burns.
(c) Physical change. This is because
no new substances are produced
during the process.
(d) Chemical change. This is because
a new substance, copper, is
produced during the process.
heat
2. (a) silver oxide silver + oxygen
heat
(b) lead(II) oxide + carbon
PowerPoint
4.3 Limestone, chalk and marble
PowerPoint
CE2006(II)25
CE2009(I)1(a)
CE2010(II)21
Limestone cave in Carlsbad, New
Mexico.
Figure 4.10 Limestone cave, chalk curves and marble cave.
calcite 方解石
4 8 calcium carbonate 碳酸鈣
chalk 白堊
Class practice 4.1
1. State whether each of the following processes is a physical change or a
chemical change. Explain your answer.
(a) Melting of ice
(b) Burning a piece of paper
(c) Crystallizing copper(II) sulphate from its solution
(d) Obtaining copper from copper(II) oxide
2. Write a word equation for each of the following extraction processes of
metals.
(a) Extraction of silver by heating silver oxide
(b) Extraction of lead by heating lead(II) oxide with carbon
(c) Extraction of aluminium by electrolysis of aluminium oxide
electrolysis
lead + carbon dioxide (c) aluminium oxide aluminium + oxygen
Activity 4.1
Conservation of natural resources
The natural resources of our Earth, such as metals, coal and petroleum, are
limited in amount and non-renewable. Using metal resources as an example,
search the Internet for some ways of conserving these resources.
Rocks containing calcium carbonate
Limestone, chalk and marble are common rocks which contain the
mineral calcite. Its chemical composition is calcium carbonate. See
Figure 4.10.
Chalk cliffs in Sussex, England. Marble canyon in Taroko Gorge,
Taiwan.
limestone 石灰石
marble 大理石
canyon 峽谷
cliff 懸崖
 4 Rocks and minerals

In other words, limestone, chalk and marble are three different rocks
that contain naturally occurring calcium carbonate. Marble is very
hard. Limestone is hard while chalk is slightly softer.

The skeletons and shells of sea animals are made up of calcium

CE2010(II)21
carbonate. When the sea animals die, they sink to the bottom of the
oceans and are covered with mud and sand. Over millions of years, due
to high temperature, high pressure and earth movements, the calcium
carbonate changes to chalk, limestone and marble.

Uses of limestone CE1998(II)31

CE2000(II)49

Limestone has many uses. See Figure 4.11.

To make glass

To make cement Powdered limestone to

neutralize acidic soil

Limestone

As the construction material To build statue

for some footpaths

Figure 4.11 Some common uses of limestone.

cement 水泥
construction material 建築材料
9 4

skeleton 骨骼
 I Planet Earth

4.4 Weathering and erosion of rocks

PowerPoint
Weathering of rocks occurs due to changes in atmospheric conditions,
such as temperature change. Actions of water and chemicals in the
environment (e.g. carbonic acid in rainwater) also cause weathering.

Weathering of rocks is a slow process (usually taking place over

thousands of years) in which exposed rocks are broken down into smaller
pieces or changed into other substances. The weathered rock pieces are
transported away by gravity, wind and water. They act like sandpaper,
wearing away other rocks. This process is called erosion.

Weathering by temperature changes

Changes in temperature can break the rocks. Most rocks are mixtures of
different minerals, which expand and contract at different rates when
temperature changes. This results in a stress and cracks the rocks. This
effect is common in deserts because of the extreme temperature changes in
a day (Figure 4.12).

Weathering by frost action

Figure 4.12 Rocks in deserts
get hot in the daytime and
cool down quickly at night.
They are badly weathered.
Rainwater can fill cracks in rocks (Figure 4.13(a)). When the temperature
drops below 0°C, water freezes and expands to form ice (Figure 4.13(b)).
This forces the rocks to break apart (Figure 4.13(c)). We call this frost
action.

eventually a piece
rainwater gathers ice of rock breaks off
in a crack

water freezes
and expands

rock the crack

gets bigger
temperature falls below 0°C

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 4.13 Expanding ice breaks rocks.

carbonic acid 碳酸 frost action 凍裂作用

4 10 erosion 侵蝕作用 weathering 風化作用
stress 應力
 4 Rocks and minerals

Weathering by acidic substances

Rainwater is slightly acidic because carbon dioxide in air dissolves
CE2003(I)1(b)
CE2003(II)14 slightly in it, forming carbonic acid.
CE2011(II)28
carbon dioxide + water carbonic acid N5
Note 5
The corresponding chemical equation is: acidic
CO2(g) + H2O() H2CO3(aq) OR
– +
CO2(g) + H2O() HCO3 (aq) + H (aq) OR
CO2(g) + H2O()
2– +
CO3 (aq) + 2H (aq)
The carbonic acid formed reacts with calcium carbonate in rocks such
as chalk and limestone.
Note 6
Rainwater containing dissolved calcium carbonate + carbonic acid calcium hydrogencarbonate
carbon dioxide corrodes limestone
areas and underground caves form.
Over a long time, as more calcium
Calcium hydrogencarbonate is soluble in water and thus the rocks are
hydrogencarbonate solution sips slowly worn away. This natural weathering process causes: N6
through cracks in cave ceilings,
dissolved calcium carbonate slowly • formation of sinkholes in limestone areas (Figure 4.14)
deposits and stalactites and
stalagmites form. • damage to limestone statues (Figure 4.15)

stalactite

stalagmite

Figure 4.14 A sinkhole in limestone area. Figure 4.15 This limestone

statue has been weathered
by rainwater.

4.5 Chemical changes involving calcium

PowerPoint carbonate
DSE2013(IA)19 Thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate decomposes to calcium oxide and carbon dioxide when
it is heated strongly.
CE2009(I)1(c)(i)
heat
CE2009(I)1(c)(ii) calcium carbonate calcium oxide + carbon dioxide
DSE2013(IA)19
white solid
DSE2014(IA)14

calcium hydrogencarbonate 碳酸氫鈣 slightly acidic 微弱的酸性 sinkhole 落水洞

calcium oxide 氧化鈣 thermal decomposition 熱分解<作用>
11 4
 I Planet Earth

The calcium oxide formed is commonly known as quicklime. When

CE2002(I)6(a)(i) water is added to calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) forms
and a lot of heat is produced.

calcium oxide + water calcium hydroxide

(quicklime) (slaked lime)

Calcium hydroxide is only slightly soluble in water. When water

is added to calcium hydroxide, a saturated solution with white
suspension forms (Figure 4.16). After the suspension is filtered, a
colourless solution is obtained. The filtrate obtained is called limewater
(Figure 4.17).

Figure 4.16 Suspension of Figure 4.17 Limewater

calcium hydroxide in water

CE2004(II)11
CE2011(II)40 Test for carbon dioxide
Limewater turns milky when carbon dioxide is passed into it for a few
seconds (Figure 4.18). This is because carbon dioxide reacts with calcium
hydroxide solution to give a white insoluble solid which is calcium
carbonate.

calcium hydroxide + carbon dioxide calcium carbonate + water

colourless solution white solid

bon delivery tube

delivery tube car ide
x
dio

carbon dioxide
calcium
carbonate
calcium limewater
carbonate limewater

heat

Figure 4.18 Test for carbon dioxide using limewater.

calcium hydroxide 氫氧化鈣 quicklime 生石灰

4 12 limewater 石灰水 slaked lime 熟石灰
milky 乳濁 suspension 懸浮物
 4 Rocks and minerals

Key point
Carbon dioxide is a colourless gas. It turns limewater milky.

If excess carbon dioxide is continuously passed into the limewater,

the milky solution will become colourless. This is because the insoluble
calcium carbonate reacts with the excess carbon dioxide and water to
form soluble calcium hydrogencarbonate (Figure 4.19).

calcium carbonate + carbon dioxide + water calcium hydrogencarbonate

white solid colourless solution

pass excess
pass carbon carbon dioxide
dioxide into it into it

limewater limewater milky

turns limewater
milky becomes colourless

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 4.19 (a) Limewater (b) The limewater turns milky when carbon dioxide is passed into it. (c) The milky
limewater becomes colourless when excess carbon dioxide is passed into it.

H20 Example 4.1 DSE2013(IA)19

Investigating the actions of acids and water on calcium carbonate

A student wants to investigate the actions of acids and water on calcium carbonate. He adds dilute
hydrochloric acid to a test tube containing calcium carbonate granules.
(a) What would the student observe in the test tube?
(b) Write a word equation for the reaction between calcium carbonate and dilute hydrochloric acid.
(c) What would the student observe if he uses water instead of dilute hydrochloric acid?

Solution

(a) The calcium carbonate granules dissolve and colourless gas bubbles are given out.
(b) calcium carbonate + dilute hydrochloric acid calcium chloride + water + carbon dioxide
(c) The calcium carbonate granules do not dissolve in water. A white suspension forms.

calcium chloride 氯化鈣

13 4
 I Planet Earth

The above mentioned chemical changes can be summarized as shown

in Figure 4.20.

pass carbon dioxide calcium carbonate

4 1 strong heat
into it (limewater test)

carbon dioxide
given off

calcium hydroxide
calcium oxide
CE2008(II)42
solution
(quicklime)
(limewater)

3 add more water, stir 2 add a little water

well and then filter calcium hydroxide
(slaked lime)

Figure 4.20 Some chemical changes involving calcium carbonate.

Class practice 4.2

A4.2 heat
(a) (i) calcium carbonate calcium oxide +
carbon dioxide
(ii) calcium oxide + water calcium hydroxide
(iii) carbon dioxide + calcium hydroxide
calcium carbonate + water
(b) The rock dissolves and colourless gas
bubbles evolve. (Magnesium carbonate
can also react with dilute hydrochloric
acid. Carbon dioxide is produced in the
reaction.)
(a) Write a word equation for the reaction that occurs when
(i) calcium carbonate is heated strongly.
(ii) water is added to calcium oxide.
(iii) carbon dioxide is passed into limewater.
(b) Dolomite is a rock. It is similar to limestone, but contains a mixture of
magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate instead of calcium
carbonate alone. What would be observed when dilute hydrochloric
acid is added to the rock?

Experiment 4.1 Experiment Workbook 1

PowerPoint Experiment Investigating the actions of heat, water and acids on calcium carbonate
Video In this experiment, you are going to investigate the actions of heat, water and
acids on calcium carbonate.

magnesium carbonate 碳酸鎂

4 14 dolomite 白雲石
 4 Rocks and minerals

4.6 Tests for the presence of calcium and

PowerPoint carbonate in a sample of limestone/
chalk/marble
CE2005(I)1(a)(ii)
CE2011(II)40
DSE2013(IA)19
Test for the presence of calcium
Calcium compounds give a brick-red flame in the

* Book 1, Section 3.4, p.13 *flame test (Figure 4.21).

Figure 4.21 Calcium compounds give

a brick-red flame in the flame test.

CE2009(I)1(b)
CE2011(II)41 Test for the presence of carbonate
Dilute hydrochloric acid is added to a sample. If carbonate is present,
carbon dioxide is produced, which turns limewater milky. See Figure
4.22.

delivery tube

dilute hydrochloric acid

limewater
solid sample
under test

Figure 4.22 Test for the presence of carbonate using limewater test.

Limestone, chalk and marble all give a brick-red flame in the flame
test and positive results in the limewater test.

Experiment 4.2 Experiment Workbook 1

PowerPoint Experiment Performing chemical tests for calcium carbonate

Video In this experiment, you are going to design and perform chemical tests for the
presence of calcium and carbonate in a sample of limestone.

brick-red flame 磚紅色火焰

carbonate 碳酸鹽
15 4
 I Planet Earth

Class practice 4.3

A4.3 A sample of white solid was tested and the results are shown below.
(a) The white solid sample contains
calcium and carbonate.
(b) Pass the gas into a test tube of Test Result
limewater. If the gas is carbon
dioxide, the limewater will turn
Flame test A brick-red flame is observed
milky.
(c) We cannot conclude that the
Addition of dilute Colourless gas bubbles of carbon
white solid sample was pure
calcium carbonate from the results hydrochloric acid dioxide evolve
of the tests. The results of the
tests only show that the sample
contains calcium and carbonate. (a) What can be concluded from the results of the tests?
(b) How can you show that the colourless gas bubbles evolved after addition
of dilute hydrochloric acid are carbon dioxide?
(c) From the results of the tests, can you conclude that the sample of white
solid was pure calcium carbonate? Explain your answer.

4 16
 4 Rocks and minerals

Key terms
PowerPoint

English term Chinese translation Page

1. calcite 方解石 8

2. calcium carbonate 碳酸鈣 8

3. chalk 白堊 8

4. chemical change 化學變化 4

5. erosion 侵蝕作用 10

6. limestone 石灰石 8

7. limewater 石灰水 12

8. marble 大理石 8

9. mineral 礦物 3

10. ore 礦石 4

11. physical change 物理變化 4

12. rock 岩石 3

13. quicklime 生石灰 12

14. slaked lime 熟石灰 12

15. sublimation 昇華 5

16. weathering 風化作用 10

17. word equation 文字方程式 6

17 4
 I Planet Earth

Progress check
PowerPoint

Can you answer the following questions? Put a ‘✓’ in the box if you can. Otherwise, review the relevant
part on the page as shown.

Page
1. What is a rock? 3

2. What is a mineral? 3

3. What is an ore? 4

4. What is a physical change? 4

5. What is a chemical change? 5

6. What are the common methods for extraction of metals from their ores? 6–7

7. What is the common mineral present in limestone, chalk and marble? 8

8. What is weathering? 10

9. What is erosion? 10

10. What are the effects of the action of heat on calcium carbonate? 11

11. What are the effects of the action of water on calcium carbonate? 13

12. What are the effects of the action of acids on calcium carbonate? 13

13. What is the relationship between limestone, quicklime, slaked lime and limewater? 14

14. How can we test for the presence of calcium in limestone/chalk/marble? 15

15. How can we test for the presence of carbonate in limestone/chalk/marble? 15

4 18
 4 Rocks and minerals

Summary
PowerPoint

4.1 Rocks as a source of minerals

1. A rock is a solid mass of a mineral or a mixture of minerals.

2. A mineral is a naturally occurring chemical that makes up the rocks.

3. An ore is the type of rock that contains minerals, from which a high proportion of useful
elements (usually contains metal) can be extracted. Some common ores include bauxite, copper
pyrite and haematite.

4.2 Extraction of metals from their ores

4. A physical change is a change in which no new substances are produced.

Example: change of states of a substance

5. A chemical change is a change in which one or more new substances are produced.
Example: burning a piece of paper

6. Metals can be extracted from their ores by the following methods:

• Physical methods

• Heating the metal ore alone

• Heating the metal ore with carbon

• Electrolysis of the molten ore

4.3 Limestone, chalk and marble

7. Limestone, chalk and marble are common rocks that contain naturally occurring calcium
carbonate.

8. Limestone is a very useful rock. Refer to p.9 for some of its uses.

4.4 Weathering and erosion of rocks

9. Weathering of rocks is a slow process (usually taking place over thousands of years) in which
exposed rocks are broken down into smaller pieces or changed into other substances.

10. Erosion of rocks refers to a slow process in which weathered rock pieces are transported away
by gravity, wind and water.

11. Rocks are weathered by

• temperature changes

• frost action

• acidic substances, e.g. acidic rainwater

4.5 Chemical changes involving calcium carbonate

12. On strong heating, calcium carbonate decomposes to calcium oxide (quicklime) and carbon
dioxide.
heat
calcium carbonate calcium oxide + carbon dioxide
(quicklime)

19 4
 I Planet Earth

13. When calcium oxide (quicklime) is treated with water, it changes to calcium hydroxide (slaked
lime).
calcium oxide + water calcium hydroxide
(slaked lime)

14.  imewater is a saturated solution of calcium hydroxide. It is a colourless solution, which turns
L
milky when carbon dioxide is passed into it for a few seconds. It can be used to test for the
presence of carbon dioxide.
calcium hydroxide + carbon dioxide calcium carbonate + water
colourless solution white solid

15. If excess carbon dioxide is passed into limewater, the milky solution will become colourless
because the insoluble calcium carbonate reacts with the excess carbon dioxide and water to
form soluble calcium hydrogencarbonate.
calcium carbonate + carbon dioxide + water calcium hydrogencarbonate
white solid colourless solution

16. Calcium carbonate reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to give carbon dioxide.
calcium carbonate + dilute hydrochloric acid calcium chloride + water + carbon dioxide

4.6 Tests for the presence of calcium and carbonate in a sample of limestone/chalk/marble

17. Calcium compounds give a brick-red flame in the flame test.

18. Calcium carbonate gives off carbon dioxide when it reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid.

4 20
 4 Rocks and minerals

Concept map
PowerPoint

Complete the following concept map.

Erosion

the process of transporting

rock pieces away by gravity,
wind and water

Weathering

the process of breaking down

rocks into smaller pieces contain a high
proportion of
contain useful elements
Rocks MINERALS Ores

calcite
methods of
containing
extracting metals
from their ores

• Physical methods
• Heating the metal ore alone
Limestone Chalk Marble • Heating the metal ore with
carbon

• Electrolysis of the molten ore

which shows that

it contains
flame test Brick-red
Calcium
flame
Calcium carbonate
Carbon dioxide Carbonate
add evolved
strong add dilute which
carbon
heating hydrochloric shows that
dioxide
acid it contains
add
Calcium oxide water Calcium hydroxide
( Quicklime ) ( Slaked lime )

(Hints: brick-red, calcite, carbon, carbonate, chalk, electrolysis, erosion, limestone, ores, quicklime,
slaked lime, weathering)
21 4
 I Planet Earth

Chapter exercise
Fill in the blanks Section 4.3
chalk marble
8. Limestone, and
Section 4.1
are different natural forms of the same compound,
mineral
1. A rock is a solid mass of or a calcium carbonate.
mixture
of minerals.
Section 4.4
2. Minerals are naturally occurring chemicals that Weathering
elements 9. is a slow process in which
make up the rocks. They may be
exposed rocks are broken down into smaller
or compounds.
pieces.
Section 4.2
Section 4.5
physical
3. Sublimation is a change in
10. Calcium oxide is
commonly known as
which no new substances are produced. quicklimewhile calcium hydroxide is
commonly known as slaked lime .
4. A chemical change is a change in which one or
new substances
more are produced.
11. When carbon dioxide gas is passed into limewater,
milky
5. Silver can be extracted by heating the limewater turns .
silver oxide in air.
Section 4.6
brick-red
6. Lead can be extracted from an ore called 12. Calcium compounds give a
galena
. The extraction method is heating flame in the flame test.
carbon
the ore with .

7. Aluminium can be extracted from an ore called

bauxite . The extraction method is
electrolysis
of the molten ore.

Practice questions
Questions 13–19: complete the following word equations.

Section 4.2
heat silver oxygen
13. silver oxide +
heat lead carbon dioxide
14. lead(II) oxide + carbon +

Section 4.5
heat calcium oxide carbon dioxide
15. calcium carbonate +
calcium hydroxide
16. calcium oxide + water
calcium carbonate water
17. calcium hydroxide + carbon dioxide +
calcium hydrogencarbonate
18. calcium carbonate + carbon dioxide + water

Section 4.6
calcium chloride carbon dioxide water
19. calcium carbonate + dilute hydrochloric acid + +

4 22
 4 Rocks and minerals

Multiple-choice questions Section 4.4

24. Which of the following are the common causes of
Section 4.2
weathering of rocks?
20. Which of the following is NOT a physical
(1) Temperature change
change?
(2) Frost action of water in the cracks of rock
A. Passing electricity through a copper wire (3) Reaction with rainwater
B. Sublimation of iodine
A. (1) and (2) only 24. Refer to p.10 and 11 of
C. Boiling of water 20. A physical change is a chapter 4 for details.
D B. (1) and (3) only
D. Burning of paper change in which no new
substances are produced. C. (2) and (3) only
D
21. Which of the following combinations of extraction D. (1), (2) and (3)
methods of metals is correct?
Section 4.5
Metal Extraction method
25. Limewater is
A. Copper Panning
A. a dilute solution of calcium carbonate in
B. Iron Heating the ore in air
water.
C. Magnesium Heating the ore with carbon
B. a saturated solution of calcium carbonate in
D. Aluminium Electrolysis of the
water.
molten ore
D C. a dilute solution of calcium oxide in water.
D. a saturated solution of calcium hydroxide in
Section 4.3 water. 25. Refer to p.12 of chapter 4
for details. D
22. Which of the following statements about
limestone and chalk are correct? 26. Limewater can be obtained from calcium
(1) They all contain calcium carbonate. carbonate through two processes. It can be
(2) They have the same major chemical converted back to calcium carbonate through
composition as marble. another process.
(3) They give a brick-red flame in the flame test.
A. (1) and (2) only Calcium Process 1
Calcium Carbon
B. (1) and (3) only +
carbonate oxide dioxide
C. (2) and (3) only
D
D. (1), (2) and (3)
Process 2

23. Which of the following are the uses of limestone?

(1) As the building materials Process 3 Calcium
(2) To neutralize alkaline soil hydroxide
(3) To make cement
A. (1) and (2) only
Which of the following combinations is correct?
B. (1) and (3) only
Process 1 Process 2 Process 3
C. (2) and (3) only
B A. Adding Heating Adding
D. (1), (2) and (3)
water carbon dioxide
21. Metal Usual extraction method B. Adding Adding Heating
Copper Heating the copper ore with carbon carbon dioxide water
Iron Heating the iron ore with carbon C. Heating Adding Adding
Magnesium Electrolysis of its molten ore water carbon dioxide
D. Adding Adding Heating
23. (2): Powdered limestone can be used to neutralize acidic soil. water carbon dioxide
26. Refer to Figure 4.20 on p.14 C
of chapter 4 for details.

23 4
 I Planet Earth

27. Which of the following processes produce carbon Section 4.6

dioxide? 28. A sample of solid R was tested and the results are
(1) Adding dilute hydrochloric acid to chalk shown below.
(2) Heating marble strongly
(3) Adding limestone to water Test Observation
A. (1) and (2) only 27. Limestone is insoluble in
A brick-red flame is
B. (1) and (3) only water and has no reaction Flame test
with water. produced.
C. (2) and (3) only
A
D. (1), (2) and (3) Adding dilute
Effervescence occurs.
hydrochloric acid

Solid R may contain

(1) carbonate.
(2) potassium.
(3) sodium.
A. (1) only 28. The sample may contain
B. (2) only calcium as it gives a brick-red
flame in the flame test.
C. (1) and (3) only
A
D. (2) and (3) only

Structured questions
Section 4.4
29. The following picture shows a special rock in Taiwan which contains
limestone. It is slowly worn away by weathering.
(a) Rainwater can attack rocks and cause weathering. Explain briefly with
the help of word equations.
(b) State THREE uses of limestone.
29. (a) Rainwater is slightly acidic because carbon dioxide in air dissolves slightly in it, forming
carbonic acid.
carbon dioxide + water carbonic acid
The carbonic acid formed reacts with calcium carbonate in limestone, forming calcium
hydrogencarbonate.
calcium carbonate + carbonic acid calcium hydrogencarbonate
The calcium hydrogencarbonate is soluble in water and thus the rock is slowly worn away.
(b) To make cement/to make glass/to build statue/as construction material for some footpaths/
to neutralize acidic soil (Any THREE)
Section 4.5 30. (a) Calcium carbonate
30. A student is going to carry out an experiment to demonstrate the thermal decomposition of limestone.
heat
(a) Name the major component of limestone. 30. (b) calcium carbonate calcium oxide + carbon dioxide
(b) Write a word equation for the thermal decomposition of limestone.
(c) A gas will be given off during thermal decomposition of limestone. Draw a labelled diagram of the
set-up used to test for this gas. 30. (c)

(d) State the expected observation for the above test.

30. (d) When the gas is passed into the limewater for a few seconds,
the limewater turns milky.
limestone limewater

heat
4 24
 4 Rocks and minerals

31. A flow diagram below shows the chemical changes involving calcium carbonate.

Calcium strong heating

A + B
carbonate

add water, filtration

Calcium hydroxide
solution
31. (a) Limestone/marble/chalk (Any ONE)
(b) A is calcium oxide and B is carbon dioxide.
(a) Name ONE common rock which contains calcium carbonate.
(c) (i) Quicklime
(b) What are A and B? (ii) Limewater
(d) The calcium hydroxide solution turns milky.
(c) What are the common names for calcium hydroxide + carbon dioxide calcium carbonate + water
(i) A? (e) The calcium hydroxide solution turns milky and then becomes colourless again
quickly. This is because the insoluble calcium carbonate reacts with the excess
(ii) calcium hydroxide solution? carbon dioxide and water to form soluble calcium hydrogencarbonate.
(d) State the expected observation when B is passed into calcium hydroxide solution, and write a word
equation for the reaction involved.
(e) What would be observed if excess B is passed into calcium hydroxide solution? Explain your answer.

Section 4.6
* 32. You are given a sample of crushed chalk. Describe briefly the procedure of the flame test used to show the
presence of calcium in the sample.
32. Moisten a clean platinum wire with concentrated hydrochloric acid. Then, dip the wire into the sample of crushed chalk. After that, heat the
end of the wire strongly in a non-luminous flame. If calcium is present in the sample, a brick-red flame is seen.

25 4
 I Planet Earth

2. (2): The composition by mass of a mixture is variable. The substances

Part exercise in the mixture can be mixed together in any proportions.

(3): It is not easy to separate the components of some mixtures. For
example, it is not easy to separate iron and carbon in steel.

Multiple-choice questions 5. Which of the following shows the correct

sequence of the main stages of separation of
1. Which of the following statements are correct? oxygen and nitrogen from air?
(1) An element cannot be broken down into A. Fractional distillation of liquid air,
anything simpler by chemical methods. Liquefaction of air, Purification of air
(2) Compounds are pure substances and each of B. Liquefaction of air, Purification of air,
them contains more than one element Fractional distillation of liquid air
chemically combined together. C. Liquefaction of air, Fractional distillation of
(3) All compounds are made by scientists in the liquid air, Purification of air
laboratory. D. Purification of air, Liquefaction of air,
A. (1) and (2) only 1. (3): Some compounds form Fractional distillation of liquid air
naturally on the Earth. D
B. (1) and (3) only 5. Refer to p.14 of chapter 2 for details.
C. (2) and (3) only
A 6. Which of the following are the properties of
D. (1), (2) and (3)
oxygen?
2. Which of the following statements about a (1) It is odourless.
mixture is/are correct? (2) It is slightly soluble in water.
(1) All mixtures are impure substances. (3) It can burn with a ‘pop’ sound when a
(2) A mixture always has the same, fixed chemical burning splint is brought near.
composition. A. (1) and (2) only 6. Hydrogen, but not oxygen,
(3) It is always easier to separate the components B. (1) and (3) only burns with a ‘pop’ sound
of a mixture than to separate the constituent when a burning splint is
C. (2) and (3) only brought near to it.
elements of a compound. D. (1), (2) and (3) A

A. (1) only 3
7. If 100 cm of water can dissolve a maximum of
B. (2) only
30 g of salt Y at room temperature, which of the
C. (1) and (3) only
A following would produce a saturated solution?
D. (2) and (3) only
3
(1) Add 20 g of salt Y to 50 cm water at room
3. Which of the following statements does NOT temperature.
describe a chemical property? 3
(2) Add 50 g of salt Y to 100 cm water at room
A. Iron rusts in air. 3. Sublimation of dry ice is a temperature.
physical change. 3
B. Dry ice sublimes. (3) Add 40 g of salt Y to 200 cm water at room
C. Oxygen supports burning. temperature. 7. If 100 cm3 of water can
B
D. Sodium reacts with chlorine. A. (1) and (2) only
dissolve a maximum of 30 g
of salt Y, in other words,
B. (1) and (3) only 3
50 cm of water can dissolve a
4. Which of the following statements about nitrogen
C. (2) and (3) only maximum of 15 g of salt Y or
are correct? 3
A
D. (1), (2) and (3) 200 cm of water can dissolve
(1) It is a mixture. a maximum of 60 g of salt Y.
(2) It is one of the components of air. 8. To obtain sodium chloride from sea water, the
(3) It cannot be broken down into simpler methods that need to be used include:
substances by electrolysis. (1) Filtration
A. (1) and (2) only 4. (1): Nitrogen is an element, (2) Evaporation 8. The sample of sea water is first
which is a pure substance. filtered to remove any insoluble
B. (1) and (3) only (3) Distillation substances. Common salt can
C. (2) and (3) only A. (1) and (2) only then be separated from the filtered
C
D. (1), (2) and (3) B. (1) and (3) only sea water by evaporation.

C. (2) and (3) only

A
D. (1), (2) and (3)
4 26
 I Planet Earth
12. Haematite is the main ore of iron. It consists mainly of iron(III) oxide.
9. Which of the following combinations about a 12. Which of the following combinations concerning
distillation set-up is correct? the rock and the metal it contains is
9. Refer to Figure 3.11 on p.10 of INCORRECT?
chapter 3 for details.
Rock Metal
thermometer
A. Copper pyrite Copper
B. Bauxite Aluminium
P C. Marble Calcium
D
D. Haematite Mercury
Liebig condenser

13. Which of the following is correct for ALL

chemical changes?
A. Heat is produced.
sea water
anti-bumping Q B. There is a change of state.
wire gauze
granule C. A colour change takes place.
heat D. One or more new substances are produced.
tripod
13. A chemical change is a change in which one or D
R more new substances are produced.

14. Which of the following combinations about the

P Q R extraction method of metals is INCORRECT?
A. Water in Water out Distillate Metal Extraction method
B. Water out Water in Distillate
A. Iron Heating the ore with carbon
C. Water in Water out Residue
B B. Copper Heating the ore in air
D. Water out Water in Filtrate
C. Aluminium Electrolysis of the molten ore
10. Which of the following correctly describe the D. Gold Physical method
flame colours observed in the flame tests for 14. Copper is extracted by heating its ore with carbon. B
potassium carbonate and copper(II) sulphate
respectively? 15. Which of the following combinations is correct?
Potassium carbonate Copper(II) sulphate
A. Golden yellow Brick-red Carbon
B. Lilac Bluish green dioxide excess carbon
dioxide
C. Brick-red Golden yellow + X Y
D. Lilac Golden yellow
10. Potassium-containing compounds give a lilac flame and
B
Limewater
copper(II)-containing compounds give a bluish-green
flame in the flame test.
11. Which of the following combinations of test and X Y
observation can indicate the presence of chloride A. Calcium oxide Calcium carbonate
in a sample?
B. Calcium carbonate Calcium hydroxide
Test Observation
C. Calcium carbonate Calcium
A. Test with dilute acid Gas bubbles form hydrogencarbonate
B. Test with anhydrous The colour of
D. Calcium Calcium hydroxide
copper(II) sulphate powder turns from
hydrogencarbonate
powder white to blue C
C. Test with acidified A white precipitate 15. Refer to Figure 4.20 on p.14 of chapter 4 for details.

silver nitrate solution forms

D. Test with dry cobalt(II) The colour of paper
chloride paper turns from blue to
11. The presence of chloride in a sample pink
can be tested by using acidified silver nitrate solution. If C
chloride is present in the sample, a white precipitate forms.
27 4
 I Planet Earth

16. Which of the following combinations of test and 18. Solid P is tested and the results are shown below.
observation can indicate that the gas sample
contains carbon dioxide? Test Observation
Test Observation
A golden yellow flame
A. Test with a burning Burning splint burns Flame test
can be observed.
splint with a ‘pop’ sound
B. Test with limewater Limewater turns Adding dilute
No observable change.
milky hydrochloric acid
C. Test with a glowing Glowing splint
A white precipitate
splint relights Silver nitrate test
forms.
D. Test with dry Cobalt(II) chloride
cobalt(II) chloride paper turns from blue
Solid P may contain
paper to pink
B
A. calcium carbonate.
16. Refer to p.12 of chapter 4 for details.
B. sodium chloride.
17. Which of the following results indicates that a C. sodium carbonate.
B
sample of white solid contains carbonate? D. calcium chloride.
A. It produces a brick-red flame in the flame 19. Which of the following processes produce a white
test. precipitate?
B. It does not react with water.
(1) Passing carbon dioxide into calcium hydroxide
C. Gas bubbles of carbon dioxide are given off
solution.
when dilute hydrochloric acid is added to it.
(2) Adding silver nitrate solution to sea water.
D. It does not turn dry cobalt(II) chloride paper
(3) Adding water to anhydrous copper(II)
from blue to pink.
sulphate.
C
17. The carbonate in a sample reacts with dilute
A. (1) and (2) only
hydrochloric acid to give carbon dioxide.
B. (1) and (3) only
18. Solid P gives a golden yellow flame in the flame test.
C. (2) and (3) only
This shows that solid P may be a sodium-containing
A
compound. D. (1), (2) and (3)
Solid P has no reaction with dilute hydrochloric acid. 19. (1): Carbon dioxide reacts with calcium hydroxide solution to give a
This shows that P does not contain carbonate. white precipitate of calcium carbonate.
The positive result of silver nitrate test shows that P (2): Silver nitrate solution reacts with the chloride in sea water to give
contains chloride. a white precipitate of silver chloride.
Structured questions (3): Water only turns white anhydrous copper(II) sulphate to blue. No
white precipitate would form.
20. The table below compares the amount of dissolved substances in Dead Sea water and ordinary sea water:

Dead Sea water Ordinary sea water

Amount of dissolved
254 g 35 g
substances in 1000 g of water

(a) Suggest ONE reason why the Dead Sea water contains a much higher amount of dissolved substances
than that of ordinary sea water in 1000 g of water. Hence, state whether Dead Sea water or ordinary sea
water is a more concentrated solution.
(b) Name ONE compound found in the dissolved substances in Dead Sea water.
(c) Can we obtain pure common salt crystals from Dead Sea water by crystallization? Explain your answer.
20. (a) This may be because Dead Sea water evaporates more quickly than ordinary sea water. Hence, Dead Sea water is a more concentrated
solution. OR
This may be because there are no rivers connected to drain the Dead Sea water.
(b) Sodium chloride/magnesium chloride/calcium chloride, etc. (Any ONE)
(c) We cannot obtain pure common salt crystals from Dead Sea water by crystallization because Dead Sea water contains other salts
4 28 apart from sodium chloride. These salts will crystallize out together with common salt from Dead Sea water.
 I Planet Earth

21. Sea water can be converted to useful chemicals X, Y and Z by the following experimental set-up.
(a) What are X, Y and Z?
X Y
(b) State whether the above process is a physical
change or a chemical change. Explain your
answer.
(c) Write a word equation for the above conversion
process. Z

(d) State the potential hazard of X, Y and Z graphite electrode graphite electrode
respectively.
21. (a) X: hydrogen; Y: chlorine; Z: sodium hydroxide (solution)
(b) The process is a chemical change because new substances
(hydrogen, chlorine and sodium hydroxide) are produced during
the electrolysis of sea water. direction of
electron flow
electrolysis
(c) sea water hydrogen + chlorine + sodium hydroxide
(d) X: flammable; Y: toxic; Z: corrosive

22. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are common elements in our daily life.
(a) Suggest ONE daily use of nitrogen and ONE daily use of oxygen.
(b) (i) When some oxygen and some nitrogen are put together inside an enclosed container, are the
contents of this container a pure substance? Explain briefly.
(ii) Is the process in (b)(i) a physical change or a chemical change? Explain your answer.
(c) (i) When hydrogen burns in oxygen, a product is produced. Name the product and state whether it is
an element, a mixture or a compound.
(ii) Is the process in (c)(i) a physical change or chemical change? Explain your answer.
(d) (i) Name the industrial process of separation of oxygen and nitrogen from air.
(ii) Oxygen and nitrogen can be separated due to the difference in one property of the gases. Name
this property and state whether it is a physical property or a chemical property.

23. Lime kilns are the constructions in which limestone is heated and decompose to quicklime.
(a) Write the chemical name of the major chemical constituent in
waste gases limestone
(i) limestone. 23. (a) (i) Calcium carbonate
(ii) Calcium oxide
(ii) quicklime.
(b) Write ONE word equation for the process occurring in lime
kilns. heat
(b) calcium carbonate calcium oxide + carbon dioxide
(c) Suggest ONE of the major components in the waste gases.
(d) State ONE use of quicklime. (c) Carbon dioxide hot air hot air
(d) It can be used to neutralize acidic soil.

22. (a) Nitrogen: used to fill food packets/as a refrigerant/making ammonia (Any ONE)
Oxygen: to support breathing for divers, fire-fighters, etc./to help patients with breathing
difficulties/to support burning of fuels (Any ONE)
(b) (i) No. Oxygen and nitrogen inside the container mix to form a gaseous mixture. A mixture quicklime
is an impure substance.
(ii) It is a physical change as no new substances are produced during the process.
(c) (i) The product is water. It is a compound.
(ii) It is a chemical change as a new substance, water, forms during the process.
(d) (i) Fractional distillation of liquid air
(ii) This property is boiling point, which is a physical property of substances.

29 4
 I Planet Earth
24. (a) Since the sample gave a brick-red flame in the flame test, the sample may contain calcium.
Since the sample evolved carbon dioxide when reacted with dilute hydrochloric acid, the sample may contain carbonate.
24. A sample of white powder which is a mixture of two compounds was tested and the results are shown
below. Since the sample gave a positive result in the silver nitrate test, the sample may contain chloride.
Thus, the sample should be a mixture of calcium carbonate and calcium chloride.

Test Observation

Flame test A brick-red flame could be observed.

Addition of dilute hydrochloric acid Colourless gas bubbles evolved.

Silver nitrate test A white precipitate formed.

(a) What can be concluded from the results of the above tests? Explain your answer.
(b) Suggest, with the aid of TWO labelled diagrams, how you would separate out the two compounds from
the mixture.
(c) A student deduced that the colourless gas evolved from the sample after addition of dilute hydrochloric
acid is carbon dioxide.
(i) Suggest a test for carbon dioxide.
(ii) State the expected observation and write a word equation for the reaction involved.

* 25. You are given two samples, both in the form of a white solid. One of the samples is potassium chloride and
the other is calcium carbonate. Suggest THREE methods to distinguish the two samples and state the
expected observations.
24. (b) Add distilled water to the mixture to dissolve the calcium chloride.
Filter the mixture, the residue left on the filter paper is calcium carbonate.

filter paper
calcium carbonate
filter funnel

calcium chloride solution

Evaporate the filtrate to dryness. The residue collected is calcium chloride.

evaporating dish
calcium chloride solution
wire gauze

heat tripod

(c) (i) Pass the gas into a test tube of limewater.

(ii) If the gas is carbon dioxide, the limewater turns milky.
carbon dioxide + calcium hydroxide calcium carbonate + water

25. (Any THREE):

Perform flame test on the two samples separately. The one which gives a lilac flame is potassium chloride. The one which gives a brick-red
flame is calcium carbonate.
Add the two samples into water separately. The one which dissolves in water is potassium chloride. The one which does not dissolve in water
is calcium carbonate.
Add dilute hydrochloric acid to the two samples separately. The one which gives colourless gas bubbles is calcium carbonate. The one which
has no observable change is potassium chloride.
Add acidified silver nitrate solution to the two samples separately. The one which gives a white precipitate is potassium chloride. The one
which has no observable change is calcium carbonate.
4 30
 I Planet Earth

Public examination questions

Multiple-choice questions 5. Which concentrated acid would be best for mixing
with a salt to carry out a flame test?
1. Nitrogen, instead of air, is used to fill the packets
A. Hydrochloric acid
of potato chips. It is because
B. Nitric acid
A. air supports combustion but nitrogen does C. Phosphoric(V) acid
not. D. Sulphuric acid
B. the density of air is higher than that of
(Edexcel, GCEAS, Unit 2, Q3, JAN 2011)
nitrogen.
C. argon in air contaminates the chips but 6. An anhydrous compound Y gives a brick-red
nitrogen does not. flame in flame test. Upon strong heating, Y gives
D. oxygen in air makes the chips go bad but out a gaseous mixture which turns blue cobalt(II)
nitrogen does not. chloride paper pink and limewater milky. Which
of the following compounds may Y be?
(HKCEE 2008 Paper 2 Q8) A. Na2CO3
B. NaHCO3
2. Which of the following components of air is NOT
C. CaCO3
obtained industrially from fractional distillation of
D. Ca(HCO3)2
liquid air?
(HKCEE 2011 Paper 2 Q40)
A. Ar(g)
B. CO2(g) 7. Which of the following substances contain(s)
C. N2(g) mainly calcium carbonate?
D. O2(g) (1) Rock salt
(HKCEE 2010 Paper 2 Q6) (2) Limestone
(3) Oyster shell
3. Which of the following substances can be used to
A. (1) only
distinguish between oxygen and carbon dioxide?
B. (2) only
(1) Limewater C. (1) and (3) only
(2) Burning splint D. (2) and (3) only
(3) Glowing splint
(HKCEE 2010 Paper 2 Q21)
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only Assertion-reason question
C. (2) and (3) only (See the back inside cover for instruction)
D. (1), (2) and (3) 1st statement 2nd statement
(HKCEE 2011 Paper 2 Q25) 8. Unpolluted rainwater Carbon dioxide in air
4. A boiling tube contains hot saturated copper(II) can erode limestone. dissolves in unpolluted
sulphate solution. Large crystals of the salt can rainwater to form
be obtained by carbonic acid.

A. placing the boiling tube in a test tube rack on

a bench.
(HKCEE 2011 Paper 2 Q28)
B. placing the boiling tube under running tap
water.
C. placing the boiling tube in an ice-water bath.
D. heating the solution to dryness.

(HKCEE 2010 Paper 2 Q16)

31 4
 I Planet Earth

Structured questions
9. Explain why filtration can be used to remove mud
particles from muddy water, but cannot be used to
remove sodium chloride from sea water.
(3 marks)
(HKCEE 2003 Paper 1 Q7(c))

10. Six compounds are classified into two groups as

shown in the table below:

Gas Solid

Ammonia Iron(III) oxide

Carbon dioxide Magnesium oxide
Nitrogen dioxide Potassium oxide

Reclassify these compounds into two groups

according to
(a) one of their physical properties, and
(2 marks)
(b) one of their chemical properties. (2 marks)
(HKCEE 2000 Paper 1 Q1)

4 32