It is said that limestone is dissolvable in water. Chalk is made of limestone but still can't be dissolved in water why is that so
Dear Student,
Limestone and chalk which are calcium carbonate do not dissolve in pure water. The solubility of calcium carbonate is extremely low in water, so therefore an extremely minute amount of CaCO3 is able to dissolve in a normal amount of water. The rest would remain solid, classifying it as mostly insoluble in water.
But limestone dissolve in rain water because it gets saturated with carbon dioxide, its solubility increases due to the formation of more soluble calcium bicarbonate. So both chalk and limestone are insoluble in water.
Regards
Limestone and chalk which are calcium carbonate do not dissolve in pure water. The solubility of calcium carbonate is extremely low in water, so therefore an extremely minute amount of CaCO3 is able to dissolve in a normal amount of water. The rest would remain solid, classifying it as mostly insoluble in water.
But limestone dissolve in rain water because it gets saturated with carbon dioxide, its solubility increases due to the formation of more soluble calcium bicarbonate. So both chalk and limestone are insoluble in water.
Regards