What happens when nitric acid is added to egg shell? Give chemical reaction also.
Health · High School · Wed Jan 13 2021
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When nitric acid is added to an egg shell, a chemical reaction occurs between the nitric acid (HNO₃) and the primary component of the eggshell, which is calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). The reaction results in the production of calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and water (H₂O). The chemical equation for this reaction is:
CaCO₃(s) + 2 HNO₃(aq) → Ca(NO₃)₂(aq) + CO₂(g) + H₂O(l)
Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the reaction:
1. The nitric acid (HNO₃) acts as an acid, donating protons (H⁺) to the carbonate group (CO₃²⁻) in the calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
2. The carbonate ions react with the protons from the acid to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), which is unstable and immediately decomposes into carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O).
3. The liberated carbon dioxide gas causes effervescence (bubbling) as it escapes from the solution.
4. The calcium ions (Ca²⁺) from the calcium carbonate then combine with the nitrate ions (NO₃⁻) from the nitric acid to form calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂).
The reaction is considered an acid-carbonate reaction and is a typical example of an acid reacting with a carbonate to produce a salt, water, and carbon dioxide.