Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is a white solid with no odor. When CaCO3 is heated, the resulting substances are calcium oxide (CaO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). CaO is a white to gray solid with no odor, and CO2 is a gas with no odor and color.

Question

Which statement describes CaCO3?

It is a diatomic molecule that can’t be broken down by physical means.
It is a diatomic molecule that can’t be broken down by chemical means.
It is a compound that can be broken down by physical means.
It is a compound that can be broken down by chemical means.

Answer 1

The correct statement that describes calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is:

It is a compound that can be broken down by chemical means.

This is because CaCO3 can decompose into calcium oxide (CaO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) when heated, indicating that it can be broken down through a chemical reaction, not physical means. Additionally, it is not a diatomic molecule; it consists of multiple atoms from different elements, making it a compound.