Calcium bromide and Sodium carbonate reaction | CaBr₂ + Na₂CO₃

Calcium bromide and sodium carbonate are water soluble inorganic compounds and each aqueous solution is colourless. Aqueous calcium bromide reacts with aqueous sodium carbonate to form calcium carbonate and sodium bromide. In this tutorial, we will learn more about this reaction.

Calcium carbonate is a white precipitate while all other reactants and products are water soluble.

Balanced reaction of calcium bromide and sodium carbonate

CaBr_2(aq) + Na₂CO_3(aq) → CaCO_3(s) + 2NaBr_(aq)

1 mol of CaBr₂ reacts with 1 mol of Na₂CO₃ and form 1 mol of CaCO₃ and 2 mol of NaBr. These values are important in solving chemical calculations.

Reactants of reaction

Calcium bromide (CaBr₂)

Calcium bromide is a white solid at room temperature and soluble in water. Aqueous Calcium bromide solution is a colourless solution. Also, it completely dissociates to Ca²⁺ and Br^- ions in water.

CaBr_2(aq) → Ca²⁺_(aq) + 2Br^-_(aq)

Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃)

Sodium carbonate is also a white solid at room temperature and soluble in water to form a colourless solution. Sodium carbonate also completely dissociates to Na⁺ and CO₃^2- ions in water.

Na₂CO_3(aq) → 2Na⁺_(aq) + CO₃^2-_(aq)

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Products of reaction

Calcium carbonate

When two reactants are mixed, there are Ca²⁺ and CO₃^2- ions in the aqueous solution. If solubility product of CaCO₃ is reached, you can see a white precipitate (CaCO₃) is formed at the bottom od the solution.

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Let's do a simple calculation.

There is an aqueous solution (100 cm³) which contains 0.01 mol CaBr₂. In another aqueous solution (100 cm³), there is 0.01 mol of Na₂CO₃. These two solution are mixed for reacting.

1. Calculate how much (mol) calcium carbonate is formed?
2. Calculate formed calcium carbonate mass?

Answer

1. According to the balanced stoichiometric equation and mixed amount of reactants, reactants are completely consumed. Therefore, amount of formed calcium carbonate is formed is equal to the consumed calcium bromide or sodium carbonate. Then, formed calcium carbonate amount is 0.01 mol.
2. To find out mass of formed calcium carbonate, multiply the amount of calcium carbonate by molar mass of calcium carbonate (100 g mol^-1). So, mass of calcium carbonate is 1g.

What are the other chemicals can be used to precipitate calcium carbonate?

Potassium carbonate can be used instead of sodium carbonate to precipitate calcium carbonate.

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Questions

Ask your chemistry questions and find the answers

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