Thermal Decomposition of Carbonates Coursework

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Thermal decomposition of carbonates Introduction: Carbonates decompose when they are heated, producing calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide can be detected using lime water. Calcium carbonate calcium oxide + carbon dioxide CaCO3 CaO + CO2 Other metal carbonates decompose in the same way. Here are the equations for the thermal decomposition of copper carbonate: copper carbonate copper oxide + carbon dioxide CuCO3 CuO + CO2 Hypothesis: some metal carbonates decompose more easily than others when they are heated. Aim: The times taken for a chemical reaction to take place metals high up in the reactivity series (such as calcium) have carbonates that take a lot of energy to decompose them. Metals low down in the reactivity series (such as copper) have carbonates that are easily composed. This is why copper carbonate is often used at school to show these reactions. It is easily decomposed and its colour change, from green copper carbonate to black copper oxide, it is easy to see. Risk Assessment | | Lime waterCopper carbonateSpillages Bunsen burnerBoiling tubesHair General lab safety rules | Can cause skin to go red or blistered. Use a pipette. Wash hands with cold water if lime water comes into contact with skin. It’s harmful. Can cause itchiness and pain. Wear goggles and take care when using it.If there is a spillage tell the teacher immediately.When not using the Bunsen burner use yellow safety flame.Don’t keep the boiling tubes on a blue flame for longer than 2 minutes as could break due to prolonged heat.Tie long hair up out of place to stop getting caught in flameAlways follow lab rules. | Variables Independent variables (what I will change) The carbonates Dependant variables (what I will measure and observe) The time taken for a reaction to take place Control variables (what I will keep the same) The amount of
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