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Formation of Carbon Dioxide

When heated, carbonates can thermally decompose to produce carbon dioxide gas.

Copper(II) carbonate

Copper(II) carbonate

  • An example of a carbonate that decomposes easily is copper(II) carbonate.
  • As it is heated, copper(II) carbonate breaks down into copper oxide and carbon dioxide. The equation for this reaction is:
    • Copper carbonate → copper oxide + carbon dioxide
    • CuCO3 → CuO + CO2
Positive result

Positive result

  • Copper carbonate is green and copper oxide is black.
  • You can see a colour change from green to black during the reaction.
Testing for carbon dioxide

Testing for carbon dioxide

  • Take an aqueous solution of limewater (calcium hydroxide) and bubble through the gas.
  • If the gas is carbon dioxide, the limewater solution will turn from clear to cloudy.
Jump to other topics
1

States of Matter

2

Elements, Compounds & Mixtures

3

Atomic Structure

4

The Periodic Table

5

Chemical Formulae, Equations & Calculations

6

Bonding

7

Electrolysis

8

Groups of the Periodic Table

9

The Atmosphere

10

Reactivity Series

11

Metal Extraction

12

Acids & Alkalis

13

Chemical Tests

14

Physical Chemistry

15

Organic Chemistry

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