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

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between sulfuric acid (found in acid rain) and calcium carbonate (found in marble and limestone) is: \( H_2SO_4 + CaCO_3 \rightarrow H_2O + CO_2 + CaSO_4 \) This reaction produces water (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and calcium sulfate (CaSO₄).

Step-by-step solution

Identify the reactants

The reactants in this reaction are sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). Sulfuric acid is the major component of acid rain, and calcium carbonate is the primary compound found in marble and limestone.

Predict the products

Due to the reaction between sulfuric acid and calcium carbonate, water (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) are formed as products.

Write the unbalanced equation

Now we can write the unbalanced chemical equation: H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ → H₂O + CO₂ + CaSO₄

Balance the equation

To balance this chemical equation, we can observe that the number of atoms of each element is conserved on both sides of the equation. As the given unbalanced equation already has an equal number of atoms for each element on both sides, it is balanced as follows: H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ → H₂O + CO₂ + CaSO₄ Now the equation is balanced and represents the reaction between sulfuric acid in acid rain and calcium carbonate in marble and limestone.

Key concepts

Sulfuric Acid

Sulfuric acid, with the chemical formula \(H_2SO_4\), is a highly corrosive mineral acid. It plays a significant role in various chemical reactions due to its strong acidic properties. In the environment, it becomes a primary component of acid rain. This occurs when sulfur dioxide \(SO_2\) released from burning fossil fuels combines with water in the atmosphere. The result is a dilute sulfuric acid that can have damaging effects on buildings and statues made of materials like marble and limestone.

• Sulfuric acid is colorless and viscous, often recognized for its dehydrating and oxidizing properties.
• Its presence in acid rain contributes to the corrosion of certain minerals, including the calcium carbonates found in marble and limestone.
• The interaction between sulfuric acid and materials like marble leads to chemical reactions that can weaken stone structures.

Understanding sulfuric acid’s role in environmental chemistry helps in mitigating its harmful effects.

Calcium Carbonate

Calcium carbonate \(CaCO_3\) is a common substance found in rocks as the minerals calcite and aragonite. Marble and limestone are primarily composed of calcium carbonate. These rocks are often used in architecture and art due to their aesthetic properties. When sulfuric acid from acid rain interacts with calcium carbonate, a chemical reaction occurs, leading to the formation of new substances.

• The reaction between calcium carbonate and sulfuric acid produces calcium sulfate \(CaSO_4\), carbon dioxide \(CO_2\), and water \(H_2O\).
• This process is responsible for the deterioration seen on historic buildings and sculptures exposed to acid rain.
• Calcium carbonate’s vulnerability to acid is due to its basic nature, which reacts with acids to neutralize them.

Protecting structures from acid rain involves understanding and managing these chemical interactions.

Acid Rain

Acid rain is the term used to describe rain that has a higher level of acidity than normal. It forms when pollutants like sulfur dioxide \(SO_2\) and nitrogen oxides \(NO_x\) mix with atmospheric water. This can lower the pH of rainwater, turning it into a weak acid.

• The main contributor to acid rain is human activity, such as emissions from power plants and factories.
• Acid rain can damage ecosystems, harming plants and aquatic life, as well as eroding buildings and monuments.
• Mitigation strategies involve reducing emissions and using alternative energy sources.

Raising awareness about acid rain is crucial for protecting the environment and conserving cultural heritage.

Balance Chemical Equation

Balancing a chemical equation ensures that the same number of atoms are present on both sides of the equation. This reflects the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction.

• In the reaction between sulfuric acid \(H_2SO_4\) and calcium carbonate \(CaCO_3\), the products are water \(H_2O\), carbon dioxide \(CO_2\), and calcium sulfate \(CaSO_4\).
• The chemical equation is represented as: \( H_2SO_4 + CaCO_3 \rightarrow H_2O + CO_2 + CaSO_4 \).
• This equation is already balanced, meaning it has equal numbers of hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, calcium, and carbonate atoms on both sides.

Learning how to balance equations helps in understanding chemical reactions and ensuring accuracy in scientific calculations.