1. The calcium supplements taken by many women are composed primarily of powdere

Question

1. The calcium supplements taken by many women are composed primarily of powdered calcium carbonate, CaCO3, which is also the primary component of marble.

a) Briefly explain why CaCO3 would be a good source for a woman suffering from chronic heart burn, use a net ionic equation,

b) Marble statues erode when exposed to acidic precipitation. Give a brief chemical explanation for this erosion.

c) Breifly explain why many people prefer antacids in which Mg(OH)2 is the active ingredients over those that use CaCO3.

Explanation / Answer

a) Stomic will have a pH ranging from 1 to 2. So CaCO3 supplied removes the acitdity by the following reaction

CO3-2 +2H+ ---> CO2(g) +H2O(l). The H+ ions are removed there by reducing the burns.

b) marble is rich in limestone and under acidic environment, the following reactions takes place leading to loss of CaCO3.

CaCO3 (s) + 2 H3O+ (aq) --> H2CO3 (aq) + Ca++ (aq) + 2 H2O

H2CO3(aq)---> H2O(l) +CO2(g)

c) since Mg(OH)2 is a base. There are 2 OH- ions and hence neutralization of acidity can be done with less amounot of Mg(OH)2 than CaCO3.

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