The above image shows lime being added to an acidic clay soil to decrease the pH, resulting in soil which has a neutral pH.
Neutralization of soil is sometimes necessary in order to promote plant growth. The ability of plants to take nutrients from the soil into their roots is affected by the pH content of the surrounding soil particles. Acid rain can cause soil to become acidic. Some plants benefit from liming the soil. In the liming process, agricultural limestone (calcium carbonate (CaCO3)) that may also contain magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) neutralizes acid in the soil and provides nutrients to promote plant growth. Since liming can stimulate plant growth, it is important to also fertilize limed soil.
Lime (Calcium oxide (CaO)) can also be added to acidic soils or acidic wetlands such as areas which have been affected by mine drainage to neutralise the soil and water.
Remember: Answer all questions in full sentences.
Q1) Are calcium oxide and calcium carbonate acidic or basic?
Q2) If an acid such as hydrochloric acid is present in the soil or water, write the two word equations for the reactions of calcium oxide and calcium carbonate with reactions.
Hint 1: acid + base --> salt + water
Hint 2: acid + carbonate --> salt + water + carbon dioxide
Q3) What is the reaction with calcium oxide called?
Q4) What is the reaction with calcium carbonate called?
Q5) What does a "salt" in chemistry mean?
Q6) What is the major difference in the products formed between the two reactions above?
Q7) What is the law called that states that mass can neither be created or destroyed in an ordinary chemical reaction?
Neutralization of soil is sometimes necessary in order to promote plant growth. The ability of plants to take nutrients from the soil into their roots is affected by the pH content of the surrounding soil particles. Acid rain can cause soil to become acidic. Some plants benefit from liming the soil. In the liming process, agricultural limestone (calcium carbonate (CaCO3)) that may also contain magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) neutralizes acid in the soil and provides nutrients to promote plant growth. Since liming can stimulate plant growth, it is important to also fertilize limed soil.
Lime (Calcium oxide (CaO)) can also be added to acidic soils or acidic wetlands such as areas which have been affected by mine drainage to neutralise the soil and water.
Remember: Answer all questions in full sentences.
Q1) Are calcium oxide and calcium carbonate acidic or basic?
Q2) If an acid such as hydrochloric acid is present in the soil or water, write the two word equations for the reactions of calcium oxide and calcium carbonate with reactions.
Hint 1: acid + base --> salt + water
Hint 2: acid + carbonate --> salt + water + carbon dioxide
Q3) What is the reaction with calcium oxide called?
Q4) What is the reaction with calcium carbonate called?
Q5) What does a "salt" in chemistry mean?
Q6) What is the major difference in the products formed between the two reactions above?
Q7) What is the law called that states that mass can neither be created or destroyed in an ordinary chemical reaction?