Question

Write your observation and a balanced equation in the case of the following substances being heated.

Zinc carbonate.

Answer 1

Zinc carbonate on heating decomposes to zinc oxide and carbon dioxide gas.

\[\ce{ZnCO3(s) -> ZnO(s) + CO2(g) ↑}\]

This is similar to the decomposition of limestone (CaCO3CaCO3) to quick lime (CaOCaO) and carbon dioxide.