Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: thedoc on 22/05/2015 08:50:01

Title: Does limestone dissolve in a basic solution?
Post by: thedoc on 22/05/2015 08:50:01

Sedarta asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Does limestone dissolve in a basic solution?

What do you think?

Title: Re: Why does limestone dissolve in a basic solution?
Post by: chiralSPO on 10/06/2015 01:25:44

I don't think that limestone is more soluble in basic solutions than in neutral or acidic solution (in fact it is the other way around).

However, dissolving limestone in water makes the solution become more basic.

Title: Re: Why does limestone dissolve in a basic solution?
Post by: evan_au on 10/06/2015 13:27:53

A common explanation about the formation of limestone caves has to do with rainwater absorbing carbon dioxide or chemicals from decaying vegetation, which make it slightly acidic.

This acid reacts with the calcium carbonate to form carbon dioxide and a calcium salt. The calcium salt is more soluble than the limestone, and so is more easily eroded.

"Acidic" is the opposite (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PH#pH_in_nature) of "Basic".