Problem 19 - Chemistry An Atoms First Approach

Question

One harmful effect of acid rain is the deterioration of structures and statues made of marble or limestone, both of which are essentially calcium carbonate. The reaction of calcium carbonate with sulfuric acid yields carbon dioxide, water, and calcium sulfate. Because calcium sulfate is marginally soluble in water, part of the object is washed away by the rain. Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction of sulfuric acid with calcium carbonate.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) with calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is: \(CaCO3 + H2SO4 -> CO2 + H2O + CaSO4\).

Step 1: 1. Write the unbalanced chemical equation

Begin by writing the unbalanced chemical equation, which includes the reactants and products: CaCO3 + H2SO4 -> CO2 + H2O + CaSO4

Step 2: 2. Balance the calcium atoms

There is already one calcium atom on both sides of the equation, so the calcium atoms are balanced: CaCO3 + H2SO4 -> CO2 + H2O + CaSO4

Step 3: 3. Balance the carbon atoms

There is one carbon atom on both sides of the equation from calcium carbonate and carbon dioxide, so the carbon atoms are also balanced: CaCO3 + H2SO4 -> CO2 + H2O + CaSO4

Step 4: 4. Balance the oxygen atoms

There are 7 oxygen atoms on the reactant side (3 from CaCO3 and 4 from H2SO4) and 7 on the product side (2 from CO2, 1 from H2O, and 4 from CaSO4), so the oxygen atoms are balanced: CaCO3 + H2SO4 -> CO2 + H2O + CaSO4

Step 5: 5. Balance the hydrogen atoms

Finally, there are 2 hydrogen atoms on the reactants side (from H2SO4) and 2 hydrogen atoms on the products side (from H2O), so the hydrogen atoms are balanced as well: CaCO3 + H2SO4 -> CO2 + H2O + CaSO4 Since all the atoms are now balanced on both sides of the equation, the balanced chemical equation is: CaCO3 + H2SO4 -> CO2 + H2O + CaSO4