Limestone to lime
In this activity, students view the interactive Calcination – lime from limestone, which shows the industrial processing of limestone into lime, and use the information to complete a matching activity.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
describe the effect of heat on limestone
define the term ‘calcination’
outline the main process steps in the production of lime from limestone
recall the meanings of the terms ‘exothermic’ and ‘endothermic
write word and symbol equations for the main chemical reactions occurring
distinguish between the terms ‘limestone’, ‘lime’ and ‘slaked lime
Calcination
Lime, produced by calcining limestone, plays a key role in a multitude of industrial, manufacturing and agricultural processes.
This interactive outlines the process steps taken at the McDonald’s Lime Limited Ōtorohanga plant.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do
student handouts.
Related content
Use these articles below to help introduce some of the ideas and concepts behind this activity:
Carbonate chemistry – Calcium carbonate is the principal mineral component of limestone. Its chemical and physical properties lie behind the societal use of limestone and the unique limestone landscapes of the countryside.
Limestone uses – The calcium carbonate content of limestone rocks has been used from the earliest civilisations. Today, it is a valuable resource that services the needs of a multitude of industries.
