Calcium Oxide Production from Calcium Carbonate via Thermal Decomposition

Introduction to Calcium Oxide Production via Thermal Decomposition

Thermal decomposition is a process where a compound breaks down into simpler substances through heat application. In this article, we will calculate the mass of calcium oxide (CaO) produced from the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate (CaCO?) and explore the underlying chemical reaction and calculation steps.

Thermal Decomposition of Calcium Carbonate

Chemical Equation

The balanced chemical equation for the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate is:

CaCO? → CaO CO? (Heat)

Step-by-Step Calculation

1. Determine the Molar Mass of Compounds

To calculate the mass of calcium oxide produced, we first need to determine the molar masses of calcium carbonate (CaCO?) and calcium oxide (CaO).

Molar Mass of CaCO?: 40.08 (Ca) 12.01 (C) 3 × 16.00 (O) 100.09 g/mol Molar Mass of CaO: 40.08 (Ca) 16.00 (O) 56.08 g/mol

2. Calculate the Number of Moles of CaCO?

Next, we calculate the number of moles of CaCO? from the given mass.

No of moles Mass / Molar Mass 20 g / 100.09 g/mol ≈ 0.2 mol

3. Use Stoichiometry to Find the Moles of CaO Produced

From the balanced equation, we know:

1 mole of CaCO? produces 1 mole of CaO. Therefore, 0.2 moles of CaCO? will produce 0.2 moles of CaO.

4. Calculate the Mass of CaO Produced

The mass of CaO produced can be calculated using the molar mass of CaO.

Mass of CaO Moles × Molar Mass 0.2 mol × 56.08 g/mol ≈ 11.22 g

Practical Application and Calculation Summary

1 mol of CaCO? produces 1 mol of CaO. Given that 100 g of CaCO? produces 56 g of CaO, we can calculate the mass of CaO produced from 20 g of CaCO?.

First, determine the number of moles of CaCO?: 20 g / 100 g/mol 0.20 mol This corresponds to 0.20 mol of CaO. Calculate the mass of CaO produced: 0.20 mol × 56 g/mol 11.2 g

Therefore, 11.2 grams of calcium oxide will be produced when 20 grams of calcium carbonate are decomposed by heat.

Conclusion

The thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide is a fundamental chemical process that can be quantitatively analyzed using the principles of stoichiometry and molar mass calculations. Understanding this process is crucial for various industrial and scientific applications.