Chemical Reaction of Quick Lime and Water
Quick lime is the common name for calcium oxide (CaO), which is a white or grayish-white solid. When quick lime is added to water, a chemical reaction takes place, which is known as slaking of lime. The reaction is exothermic and generates a lot of heat.
Chemical Equation for the Reaction
The chemical equation for the reaction between quick lime and water is as follows:
CaO + H2O → Ca(OH)2 + heat
Explanation of the Reaction
The reaction between quick lime and water is a highly exothermic reaction, which means that it releases a lot of heat. This is due to the fact that the reaction is highly exothermic. When quick lime is added to water, it reacts with water molecules to form calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). This is an alkaline substance and is also known as slaked lime.
The reaction takes place in two stages:
Uses of Slaked Lime
Slaked lime is used in various applications, including:
- As a building material for mortar, plaster, and stucco
- As a soil conditioner to increase the pH level of acidic soils
- In the paper industry to bleach pulp
- In the chemical industry to produce calcium salts and calcium carbide
- In the food industry as a food additive and preservative
Thus, the reaction between quick lime and water is an important chemical reaction that has several uses in various industries.