Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
What are stalgmites and stalactites? How are they formed?
Advertisements
Solution
In some limestone caves, conical pillar-like objects hang from the roof and some rise from the floor. These are formed by water containing dissolved calcium hydrogen carbonate continuously dropping from the cracks in the rocks. Release of pressure results in the conversion of some hydrogen carbonate to calcium carbonate.
Ca(HCO3)2 → CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O
This calcium carbonate little by little and slowly deposit on both roof and floor of the cave.
The conical pillar which grows downwards from the roof is called stalactite and the one which grows upward from the floor of the cave is called stalagmite.
These meet after a time. In a year, some grow less than even a centimetre, but some may be as tall as 100 cm.
CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O → Ca(HCO3)2
MgCO3 + CO2 + H2O → Mg(HCO3)2
If the water flows over beds of gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O), a little bit of gypsum gets dissolved in water and makes it hard.
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
What are the main causes of water pollution ? How can it be controlled ?
Give reason of Carbonated drinks are bottled under high pressure.
What causes the violence associated with torrential rain?
What is the effect of impurities present in the water on the melting point and boiling point of water?
Explain why:
If distilled water is kept in a sealed bottle for a long time, it leaves etchings on the surface of the glass.
Differentiate between the following:
Natural water and treated water
Condensation results in the formation of dew on grass.
______ plays a vital role in the evolution and survival of life.
Water polluted by various human activities causes a number of water borne diseases. Which of the following is not a water borne disease?
In which of the following activities will you use minimum amount of water?
