10/6/22, 8:48 AM Thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate | Experiment | RSC Education

Thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate

In association with Nuffield Foundation

Calcium carbonate is strongly heated until it undergoes thermal decomposition to form

calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. The calcium oxide (unslaked lime) is dissolved in water
to form calcium hydroxide (limewater). Bubbling carbon dioxide through this forms a milky
suspension of calcium carbonate

This experiment can be carried out conveniently in groups of two or three and takes about 40–45
minutes.

Equipment 
Apparatus
Eye protection

Tripod

Gauze

Bunsen burner

Tongs

Boiling tubes, x2 (note 1)

Drinking straw (note 2)

Dropping pipette

Filter funnel, small

Filter paper

Apparatus notes
1. Use large (150 x 25 mm) test tubes (boiling tubes).

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10/6/22, 8:48 AM Thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate | Experiment | RSC Education

2. Freshly purchased drinking straws should be used and each student issued with their own
straw.

Chemicals

Calcium carbonate

Universal Indicator solution (HIGHLY FLAMMABLE)

Health, safety and technical notes

Read our standard health and safety guidance.

Wear eye protection.

Calcium carbonate, CaCO3(s) – see CLEAPSS Hazcard HC019b. The calcium carbonate

used should be in the form of pea sized lumps of chalk. Blackboard chalk should not be used
as it is likely to be mostly calcium sulfate.

Universal indicator solution (HIGHLY FLAMMABLE) – see CLEAPSS Hazcard HC032 and
CLEAPSS Recipe Book RB047.

Procedure

Source: RSC

1. You need to prepare a tabulated results sheet before you start your experiments. An example
table is provided below in the teaching notes.

2. Set a lump of chalk (calcium carbonate) on a gauze. If your gauze has a coated central circle,
use the edge where there is no coating.
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10/6/22, 8:48 AM Thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate | Experiment | RSC Education

3. Heat the chalk very strongly for 5–10 minutes. Write down what you observe.

4. Let the chalk cool and use tongs to move it into a boiling tube. Add 2–3 drops of water with a
dropping pipette. Write down your observations.

5. Add about 10 cm3 more water to the solid. What happens now?

6. Filter half the mixture into the other boiling tube and, using a straw, gently blow a stream of
bubbles through the filtrate. What do you see?

7. Test the remaining half of the mixture with Universal Indicator solution. Write down what you
observe.

Teaching notes
Keep an eye on less mature students who might be tempted to suck rather than blow through the
filtrate.

The results expected are as follows:

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10/6/22, 8:48 AM Thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate | Experiment | RSC Education

Method Observation

Heat for 10 minutes The chalk should be seen to crumble slightly

Add 2–3 drops of water More crumbling, steam given off, evidence that mixture has become hot

Add 10 cm3 more water Some of the solid dissolves, white suspension

Blow bubble through the solution Limewater turns cloudy

Add universal indicator Indicator goes from green to blue/purple

This set of experiments involves a variety of important reactions and types of reactions, with
several references to industrial processes. The roasting of limestone and the hydration of the
quicklime formed has relevance in the manufacture of plaster and cement, and in the laboratory
limewater is a common reagent for the testing of carbon dioxide. Students could be asked to carry
out web research on these applications.

Some question and answers for the class after the experiment

1. Why does the chalk crumble slightly on strong heating?

Carbon dioxide/a gas is evolved; this forces its way out of the solid and breaks down its
structure.

2. What type of reaction is taking place during the heating process? Write an equation for the
reaction.

Thermal decomposition; CaCO3(s) → CaO(s) + CO2(g)

3. Why is steam evolved when drops of water are added? Write an equation for the reaction
occurring.

The reaction is highly exothermic and the small amount of water added is partly converted to
steam in the process: CaO(s) + H2O(l) → Ca(OH)2(s)

4. Why does the limewater turn cloudy? Write an equation for the reaction which is occurring.

Insoluble calcium carbonate is being precipitated: Ca(OH)2(aq) + CO2(g) → CaCO3(s) +

H2O(l)

5. What does the colour change occurring when limewater is added tell you about the pH of the
solution? Explain why the pH would be expected to have this value.

The pH is about 11 - 14; soluble metal hydroxides are alkaline and therefore give high pH
values.

Additional information

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10/6/22, 8:48 AM Thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate | Experiment | RSC Education

This is a resource from the Practical Chemistry project, developed by the Nuffield Foundation and the Royal
Society of Chemistry. This collection of over 200 practical activities demonstrates a wide range of chemical
concepts and processes. Each activity contains comprehensive information for teachers and technicians, including
full technical notes and step-by-step procedures. Practical Chemistry activities accompany Practical
Physics and Practical Biology. 

© Nuffield Foundation and the Royal Society of Chemistry

Health and safety checked, August 2016

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