International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Chemistry Practice Exam

What are the byproducts of the reaction between nitric acid and calcium carbonate other than calcium nitrate?

1. Water and oxygen

2. Carbon dioxide and water

3. Hydrogen and nitrogen

4. Hydrogen and oxygen

The correct answer is: Carbon dioxide and water

In the reaction between nitric acid (HNO₃) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), the primary products formed include calcium nitrate, water, and carbon dioxide. The interaction occurs as nitric acid acts upon calcium carbonate, leading to the decomposition of the carbonate and the release of carbon dioxide gas. The generation of water is a consequence of the acid reacting with the carbonate, facilitating the exchange of ions in solution. Specifically, as calcium nitrate is produced, carbon dioxide is released as a gas, and water forms as a medium in this reaction. This is typical for acid-carbonate reactions, where the products are a salt (in this case, calcium nitrate), along with water and carbon dioxide. Thus, carbon dioxide and water are rightly identified as the byproducts of this reaction, making this answer accurate based on the principles governing acid-base and carbonate reactions.