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How do I balance this reaction, tool says it has infinite results

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 10:34 am
by giannitrattore
Hello, I was practicing on balancing equations and couldn't to this one:
Ca(OH)2 + H2CO3 = CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O
To me it looks like there shouldn't be any CO2 in there but this is like the first exercise in the book and there's only 10 of this type so I would be really surprised if they got this wrong

Re: How do I balance this reaction, tool says it has infinite results

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 10:49 am
by ChenBeier
Calciumhydroxide reacts with carbonic acid to Calcium carbonate in first reaction. Precipitation happens.

Ca(OH)2 + H2CO3 => CaCO3 + 2 H2O

In second reaction Calciumhydrogencarbonate is formed, the precipitate get dissolved.

CaCO3 + H2CO3 => Ca(HCO3)2

This happens in stalactite caves.

If heated decomposition happens

Ca(HCO3)2 => CaCO3 + H2O + CO2