Skip to main content
Skip to navigation

Joint Earth Science Education Initiative - limestone chemistry

This activity is most appropriate for students aged 14-16 to illustrate chemical reactions and useful materials made from rocks.

Some of the simple chemical reactions of limestone (calcium carbonate, CaCO₃) and lime (calcium oxide, CaO).

Websites

Limestone chemistry

Level

14-16 years

Use

Category

Specification

Wales
- GCSE
  - WJEC Chemistry
    - Unit 1: CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES, REACTIONS and ESSENTIAL RESOURCES
      - 1.6 LIMESTONE
        [b] calcium carbonate, calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide as the chemical names for limestone quicklime and slaked lime respectively
        [c] the cycle of reactions involving limestone and products made from it, including the exothermic reaction of quicklime with water and the reaction oflimewater with carbon dioxide
        (d) the uses of limestone in the production of iron and steel, in road-building, to neutralise soil acidity and to make cement
Northern Ireland
- A/AS level
  - CCEA Chemistry
    - Unit AS 2: Further Physical and inorganic Chemistry and an Introdution to Organic Chemistry
      - 2.11 Group II elements and their compounds
        2.11.7 recall the use of calcium carbonate to make calcium oxide [quick lime] and calcium hydroxide [slaked lime] and their use in producing cement and concrete;

Related articles

Resource
C, O and Co | Johnstone’s triangle | 11–14 years

By Helen Harden

Develop your learners’ understanding of symbols and formulas at different conceptual levels by comparing the symbolic representations of carbon monoxide and cobalt
Ideas
5 ways to teach gas tests

2026-05-13T06:00:00Z By Kristy Turner

Kristy Turner shares approaches to secure your 11–14 and 14–16 learners’ knowledge and build confidence
Resource
Word equations | Developing understanding | 11–14 years

By Helen Harden and Neil Goalby

Use this worksheet to improve your learners’ understanding of writing and interpreting word equations

More Resources

Resource
Masau adweithio a chyfeintiau nwy | Stribed strwythur | 14–16 oed

By Kirstie Urquhart

Defnyddiwch yr awgrymiadau sydd wedi’u sgaffaldio i gefnogi’r dysgwyr i ysgrifennu am fasau adweithio a chyfeintiau nwy
Resource
Màs cymharol | Stribed strwythur | 14–16 oed

By Kirstie Urquhart

Cefnogi’r dysgwyr i ddangos eu dealltwriaeth o fàs cymharol, gan ddefnyddio awgrymiadau ysgrifennu wedi’u sgaffaldio
Question sheet
Condensation polymerisation | Review my learning worksheets | 14–16 years

Identify learning gaps and misconceptions with this set of worksheets offering three levels of support