15 Facts On H2SO4 + CaCO3: What, How To Balance & FAQs

H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ is the reaction between limestone and sulphuric acid to form lime, carbon dioxide as the gas and water molecule. Let us discuss in details below.

H₂SO₄ is an acid and CaCO₃ is soluble in dilute acids. CaCO₃ has very low solubility in water with low boiling point that easily decomposes and it is endothermic in nature. It is found in minerals and rocks. The presence of CaCO₃ is the result of water becoming hard and causes hair fall and digestive issues.

H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ is widely studied for the formation of lime. Let us study about the type of reactions, nature, net reactions etc. of H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ below.

What is the product of H2SO4 and CaCO₃?

The product of H₂SO₄ and CaCO₃ is H₂CO₃ and CaSO_4. The bicarbonate H₂CO₃ further breaks down in H₂O and CO₂.

• H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ -> H₂CO₃ + CaSO₄

What type of reaction is H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃?

The type of reaction between H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ is a neutralization reaction as the reaction produces calcium sulphate ( CaSO₄ ) as the salt and water.

How to balance H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃?

The steps required to balance H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ for the reaction H₂SO4 + CaCO₃ -> H₂CO₃ + CaSO₄ are as follows,

• O and H are always balanced last.
• Balance the main group elements Ca on both sides
• Balance S and C atoms on both sides.
• The above reaction has an already balanced atoms on both left and right sides of the equation.
• Therefore, the balanced chemical equation of H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ is,
• H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ -> H₂O+ CaSO₄ + CO₂.

H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ titration

H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ reaction cannot be titrated because of them being strong acid and strong base.

H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ net ionic equation

H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ reaction has the net ionic reaction,

H₂SO4 + CaCO₃ -> H₂CO₃ + CaSO₄ is 2H⁺ (aq) + SO₄^2- (aq) + CaCO₃ (s) -> 2H⁺ (aq) + CO₃^2- (aq) + CaSO₄ (s)

• Write the complete molecular reaction.
• Mention the states of the molecules / compounds.
• Break the electrolytes or ionic molecules in aqueous medium in to the respective ions.

H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ conjugate pairs

• The conjugate pairs of H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ are H⁺, SO₄^2-, Ca²⁺ and CO₃^2-.
• It is the cations (H⁺, Ca²⁺) and anions (SO₄², CO₃^2-)that form radical pairs in a molecule.

H₂SO₄ and CaCO₃ intermolecular forces

H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ reaction has the following intermolecular forces,

• The intermolecular forces of attraction existing H₂SO₄ and CaCO₃ are electrostatic forces.
• The cations and anions in respective molecules of H₂SO₄ and CaCO₃ are held together by strong electrostatic forces.

H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ reaction enthalpy

The exact enthalpy of H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ is not yet measured but it is an exothermic reaction so the enthalpy would be negative.

Is H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ a buffer solution?

H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ is not a buffer solution as it is not formed by reacting weak acid and its conjugate base or by reacting weak base with its conjugate acid.

Is H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ a complete reaction?

H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ is not a complete reaction. The reaction can be called a complete reaction if both the left and right-hand side of the chemical equation is present.

Is H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ an exothermic or endothermic reaction?

H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ is an exothermic reaction as the heat released from the formation of water is higher than if being absorbed.

Is H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ a redox reaction?

H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ is not a redox reaction as the oxidation states of any of the elements do not change upon reaction. Neither H₂SO₄ nor CaCO₃ acts as an oxidizing or reducing agent.

Is H₂SO4 + CaCO₃ a precipitation reaction?

H₂SO4 + CaCO₃ is a precipitation reaction as it forms insoluble CaSO₄ salt.

Is H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ reversible or irreversible reaction?

H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ is an irreversible reaction. The reaction does not proceed backward to form the reactants. The salt once formed stops the reaction from reaching equilibrium.

Is H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ displacement reaction?

H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ is a double displacement reaction as can be verified from its chemical equation.

• H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ -> H₂CO₃ + CaSO₄
• H₂CO₃ -> H₂O + CO₂

Conclusion

H₂SO₄ + CaCO₃ is a neutralization reaction showing double displacement of the elements upon reaction.  It is a precipitation reaction that forms calcium sulphate as the salt that precipitates out. The reaction is displaced twice to form its compunds.

Nandita Biswas

Hello…. I am Nandita Biswas. I have completed my master’s in Chemistry with a specialization in organic and physical chemistry. Also, I have done two projects in chemistry- One dealing with colorimetric estimation and determination of ions in solutions. Others in Solvatochromism study fluorophores and their uses in the field of chemistry alongside their stacking properties on emission. I am working as a Research Associate Trainee in Medicinal Department.
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