Question

When surface water dissolves carbon dioxide, carbonic acid (H2CO3) is formed. When the water moves underground through limestone formations, the limestone dissolves and caves are sometimes produced.
CaCO3(s) + H2CO3(aq) Ca(HCO3)2(aq)
What mass of limestone must have dissolved if 4.93 1010 kg of calcium hydrogen carbonate was produced?
would the correct answer be 3.04e13??
i found this by taking 4.93e10kg converting it to grams= 4.93e13g Ca(HCO3)2 then converting that to moles and then setting that equal to limestone (CacCO3) and converting that then to grams.

Answer 1

Perhaps I can help if you will enlighten me as to the meaning of 4.93 1010 kg. Surely you don't have a balance that will weigh to that precision. If it is 4.93 x 10^10 kg, that's a HUGE number but that may be what you mean. Leaving a blank isn't the way to do it; either x sign (or 4.93E10) will do it properly.

Answer 2

sorry typo i meant to put 4.93e10

Answer 3

Yes, I obtained 3.04 x 10^10 kg and that is 3.04 x 10^13 g CaCO3.

Answer 4

yes that is the right answer, thanks Dr.bob