Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
What type of reaction takes place when calcium oxide reacts vigorously with water to produce slaked lime?
Decomposition reaction
Double displacement reaction
Combination reaction
Displacement reaction
Combination reaction
When calcium oxide (quicklime) reacts with water, it produces slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) along with the release of a large amount of heat. This type of chemical reaction in which two or more reactants combine to form a single product is known as a combination reaction.
When calcium oxide (quicklime) reacts with water, it produces slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) along with the release of a large amount of heat. This type of chemical reaction in which two or more reactants combine to form a single product is known as a combination reaction.
Adding water to quicklime used for whitewashing walls results in a hissing sound and a boiling solution due to the immense heat released, similar to how mixing concentrated acid and water releases heat rapidly.
COMBINE: Coming One Major Binding Interaction New Element (Two or more reactants become ONE product).
CaO_{(s)} + H_2O_{(l)} \rightarrow Ca(OH)_2_{(aq)} + \text{Heat} тАФ Formation of slaked lime
Ca(OH)_2_{(aq)} + CO_2_{(g)} \rightarrow CaCO_3_{(s)} + H_2O_{(l)} тАФ Whitewashing hardening reaction
The chemical equation for this reaction is CaO_{(s)} + H_2O_{(l)} \rightarrow Ca(OH)_2_{(aq)} + \text{Heat}. Because a single product is formed from multiple reactants, it is classified as a combination reaction. Furthermore, since heat is evolved during the process, it is also an exothermic reaction.
Calcium oxide is commonly known as quicklime or unslaked lime.
Calcium hydroxide is commonly known as slaked lime.
The reaction is highly exothermic, causing the container to become hot.
Slaked lime is used for white washing walls because it reacts slowly with carbon dioxide in the air to form a shiny finish of calcium carbonate.
Simple and direct preparation method for slaked lime.
Generates thermal energy which accelerates the mixing process.
Can cause severe skin burns and eye damage if handled without protective gear due to intense heat and strong alkalinity.
Whitewashing buildings and walls
Manufacturing of cement and mortar
Neutralizing acidic soils in agriculture
Option A (Decomposition reaction): Incorrect, because decomposition involves a single reactant breaking down into two or more products.
Option B (Double displacement reaction): Incorrect, because double displacement involves the exchange of ions between two compounds.
Option D (Displacement reaction): Incorrect, because displacement involves a more reactive element displacing a less reactive element from its salt solution.
C is correct тАФ When calcium oxide reacts with water, a single product (calcium hydroxide) is formed by the combination of two reactants, making it a combination reaction.
Remember that combination reactions are frequently exothermic (like burning of coal or slaking of lime), whereas decomposition reactions are generally endothermic (requ