Question

Write an equation to show how sulfuric acids in acid rain reacts with marble and limestone. (Both marble and limestone are primarily calcium carbonate.)

Short answer

\(H_2SO_4 + CaCO_3 \rightarrow CaSO_4 + H_2O + CO_2\)

Step-by-step solution

Write the unbalanced equation

First, let's write out the unbalanced chemical equation using the chemical formulas for the reactants and products: H2SO4 + CaCO3 → CaSO4 + H2O + CO2

Balance the equation

Now, we need to balance the equation by ensuring that there are equal numbers of each element on both sides of the equation. Let's examine the equation element by element: - H (Hydrogen): We have 2 hydrogen atoms in sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and 2 hydrogen atoms in water (H2O). - S (Sulfur): There is 1 sulfur atom in sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and 1 sulfur atom in calcium sulfate (CaSO4). - O (Oxygen): We have 4 oxygen atoms in sulfuric acid (H2SO4), 3 in calcium carbonate (CaCO3), 4 in calcium sulfate (CaSO4), 1 in water (H2O), and 2 in carbon dioxide (CO2). This totals to 7 oxygen atoms on the reactant side and 7 oxygen atoms on the product side. - Ca (Calcium): There is 1 calcium atom in calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and 1 calcium atom in calcium sulfate (CaSO4). - C (Carbon): We have 1 carbon atom in calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and 1 carbon atom in carbon dioxide (CO2). As it turns out, the original unbalanced equation is actually balanced: H2SO4 + CaCO3 → CaSO4 + H2O + CO2

Write the balanced equation

Now that we have balanced the equation, let's write it out in its final form: \(H_2SO_4 + CaCO_3 \rightarrow CaSO_4 + H_2O + CO_2\) This balanced equation represents the reaction between sulfuric acid in acid rain and calcium carbonate in marble and limestone, producing calcium sulfate, water, and carbon dioxide.