Question

Explain with reaction why does the lime water turns milky in the reaction of acetic acid with sodium carbonate.

Answer 1

When sodium and acetic acid react carbonate, carbon dioxide gas is produced, which makes lime water milky, which leads to the creation of calcium carbonate that is insoluble.

\[\ce{\underset{Acetic acid}{2CH3COOH} + \underset{Sodium carbonate}{Na2CO3} -> \underset{Sodium acetate}{2CH3COONa} + H2O + CO2↑}\]

\[\ce{\underset{Lime water}{Ca(OH)2} + \underset{Carbon dioxide}{CO2_{(g)}} -> \underset{Calcium carbonate (milky)}{CaCO3}↓ + H2O}\]