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What exactly is calcium oxide?
Calcium Oxide is a chemical substance that is also known as quicklime, lime, fluxing lime, or unslaked lime. It is made up of the elements calcium and oxygen and has the chemical formula CaO. It is a metallic oxide that is usually found in solid form at ambient temperature. Apart from calcium oxides and hydroxides, CaO contains inorganic components such as magnesium, aluminium, silicon, and iron.
The molecular weight of calcium oxide is 56.08 g/mol. It also has a melting point of 2,572 degrees Celsius and a boiling point of 28500 degrees Celsius.
How can you make calcium oxide?
A few simple procedures are involved in the production of Calcium Oxide or quicklime. Its production may be traced back to the Stone Age due to the ease with which it can be made from widely available limestones in nature.The following are the CaO preparation steps:
1.CaO can be created through the thermal breakdown of naturally occurring limestones or seashells.
2.Limestones and seashells contain calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which is then calcined to produce burnt lime. Calcination is the thermal decomposition of the reactants of the elements at high temperatures (1070°C – 1270°C), i.e., below their melting point.
3.Calcination produces burnt lime and carbon dioxide as byproducts.
Properties of Calcium Oxide
Calcium Oxide has the following properties:
1.Calcium Oxide, sometimes known as quicklime, is a colourless, amorphous liquid.
2.It has an extremely high melting and boiling point.
3.It easily combines with water to generate calcium hydroxide, often known as slake lime. CaO + H2O → Ca(OH)2 is the chemical formula for this reaction.
4.CaO is a highly stable chemical that is difficult to break down.
5.Calcium Oxide is a fundamental element found in nature.
6.It is acid soluble and produces salts.
7.It’s not soluble in alcohol.
8.Calcium oxide has a standard molar entropy of 40 joule/mole kelvin.
Use of Calcium Oxide
Quicklime has a variety of applications in a variety of fields. Some of its most common applications are listed below:
1.Calcium Oxide is a common water softening agent.
2.It is also used to recover ammonia.
3.It is widely used in laboratories as a reagent for gas absorption, precipitation, and other processes.
4.Quicklime is widely utilised on a big scale for a variety of therapeutic applications, animal feed, pesticides, and so on.
5.CaO is widely used in the manufacture of soap, refractories, varnish, and other products.
6.It is also utilised as a reagent in the production of cement, lime bricks, steel, and other materials.
7.It is used to improve the quality of the soil.
8. CaO is the most affordable alkali, and it is also employed in the production of caustic soda.
9.In poultry feed, it is used as a preservative.
10.It is commonly used in paper products as a filler.
Side Effects of Calcium Oxide
Calcium Oxide (CaO) is a highly active chemical that can impair your health in a variety of ways. As a result, it must be handled with caution in order to minimise health concerns. The following are the many health hazards associated with calcium oxide:
1.If calcium oxide is inhaled, it can induce sneezing, coughing, and other respiratory issues.
2.If inhaled or comes into contact with damp skin, it can cause severe irritation.
3.Other side effects include vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, burns, and so on.
Conclusion
We conclude following key points from the above give topic which are as follows-:
1.When calcium oxide is heated towards its melting point, it emits a brilliant white light. Prior to the invention of the electric bulb, heated lime was also used to illuminate theatrical shows.
2.CaO is also utilised in lake waters to counteract acidified water caused by acid rain.
3.It is utilised as a food additive in the majority of food items to preserve acidity and add bulk to the products.
4.Quicklime was also employed in the burial of ill animals and humans in the early days. This procedure was fairly prevalent back then since it was thought to hasten the disintegration of soft tissues.
