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

What type of reaction occurs when nitric acid reacts with calcium carbonate?

1. Neutralization

2. Decomposition

3. Displacement

4. Synthesis

The correct answer is: Neutralization

When nitric acid reacts with calcium carbonate, the primary type of reaction that occurs is neutralization. In this case, nitric acid, which is an acid, reacts with calcium carbonate, a base, to produce carbon dioxide, water, and calcium nitrate. The process of an acid reacting with a base to form water and a salt (in this case, calcium nitrate) is characteristic of neutralization reactions. During this reaction, the carbonate ions from calcium carbonate react with the hydrogen ions from the nitric acid to produce carbon dioxide gas, which can be observed as fizzing or bubbling. Following this, the remaining components form the salt and water. Hence, the overall essence of the reaction reflects a neutralization since an acid is neutralized by a base, demonstrating the fundamental nature of acid-base chemistry. The other types of reactions described—decomposition, displacement, and synthesis—do not align with the characteristics of this specific reaction. Decomposition refers to breaking down a compound into simpler substances, displacement involves one element being replaced by another in a compound, and synthesis is the formation of a complex compound from simpler reactants. None of these processes correctly describe the interaction between nitric acid and calcium carbonate as accurately as neutralization does.