Study Guides/Chemistry/Molecular Mass of CaCO3 — Calcium Carbonate
Study Guide · Chemistry

Molecular Mass of CaCO3 (Calcium Carbonate)

The molecular mass of CaCO₃ (calcium carbonate) is 100 g/mol. This is calculated by adding the atomic masses of all atoms in one molecule of calcium carbonate: one calcium atom (Ca), one carbon atom (C), and three oxygen atoms (O).

Question (Click to Flip)

What is the molecular mass of CaCO₃?

Answer

The molecular mass of CaCO₃ (calcium carbonate) is 100 g/mol. Calculation: Ca (40) + C (12) + 3×O (3×16 = 48) = 40 + 12 + 48 = 100 g/mol.

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Key Facts

Molecular mass of CaCO₃ = 100 g/mol

CaCO₃ = Ca (40) + C (12) + 3×O (48) = 100

CaCO₃ forms: Limestone, Marble, Chalk, Calcite

CaCO₃ + heat → CaO + CO₂ (thermal decomposition)

CaCO₃ + 2HCl → CaCl₂ + H₂O + CO₂ (acid reaction)

Lime water test: CO₂ turns Ca(OH)₂ solution milky (forms CaCO₃)

Step-by-Step Calculation

Formula: CaCO₃ = Ca + C + O₃

Atomic masses (from periodic table):

  • Ca (Calcium) = 40 u
  • C (Carbon) = 12 u
  • O (Oxygen) = 16 u

Calculation: Molecular mass of CaCO₃ = Mass of Ca + Mass of C + Mass of 3O = 40 + 12 + (3 × 16) = 40 + 12 + 48 = 100 g/mol

Answer: Molecular mass of CaCO₃ = 100 g/mol

About Calcium Carbonate

Chemical formula: CaCO₃ Common name: Calcium carbonate Other names: Calcite, Limestone, Chalk, Marble (all are forms of CaCO₃) Physical form: White solid, odourless, insoluble in water Molecular mass: 100 g/mol

Occurrence in nature: CaCO₃ is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. It is found as:

  • Limestone (building material, cement production)
  • Marble (sculpture, flooring)
  • Chalk (used in blackboards, writing)
  • Shells of snails, oysters, and coral (biological origin)

Common reactions tested in exams:

  1. Thermal decomposition: CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂ (heating)
  2. Reaction with acid: CaCO₃ + 2HCl → CaCl₂ + H₂O + CO₂
  3. Reaction with water (lime water): CO₂ + Ca(OH)₂ → CaCO₃↓ + H₂O (turns lime water milky)

Molar Mass vs Molecular Mass

Molecular mass: Mass of one molecule of a substance in atomic mass units (u). For CaCO₃ = 100 u. Molar mass: Mass of one mole (6.022 × 10²³ molecules) of a substance in grams. For CaCO₃ = 100 g/mol.

Numerically, molar mass and molecular mass are equal in value but differ in units (g/mol vs u). In most exam problems, both terms are used interchangeably.

Questions and Answers

What is the molecular mass of CaCO₃?+

The molecular mass of CaCO₃ (calcium carbonate) is 100 g/mol. Calculation: Ca (40) + C (12) + 3×O (3×16 = 48) = 40 + 12 + 48 = 100 g/mol.

How do you calculate the molecular mass of calcium carbonate?+

Add the atomic masses of all atoms: CaCO₃ has 1 Ca + 1 C + 3 O. Atomic masses: Ca = 40, C = 12, O = 16. So: 40 + 12 + (3 × 16) = 40 + 12 + 48 = 100 g/mol.

What are the common forms of CaCO₃?+

Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) occurs naturally in several forms: Limestone (sedimentary rock used in cement), Marble (metamorphic rock used in construction and sculpture), Chalk (soft form used in writing), and Calcite (crystalline mineral). All have the same chemical formula CaCO₃ but different physical structures.

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