What is the Difference Between Calcium Carbonate and Calcium Oxide?

The main difference between calcium carbonate and calcium oxide lies in their chemical composition and stability towards heat treatment.

• Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3): Calcium carbonate is a carbonate of calcium with the chemical formula CaCO3. It is a common compound found in rocks, sediment, and organisms such as shellfish and corals. Calcium carbonate can undergo a decomposition reaction when heated, breaking down into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide.
• Calcium Oxide (CaO): Calcium oxide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula CaO. It is also known as quicklime and is produced when calcium carbonate is heated. Calcium oxide is very stable towards heat treatment.

In summary, calcium carbonate is a carbonate compound with the formula CaCO3, while calcium oxide is an inorganic compound with the formula CaO. Calcium carbonate decomposes into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide when heated, and calcium oxide is more stable towards heat treatment than calcium carbonate.

Comparative Table: Calcium Carbonate vs Calcium Oxide

Here is a table highlighting the differences between calcium carbonate and calcium oxide:

Calcium carbonate has the chemical formula CaCO3 and is a carbonate of calcium, while calcium oxide has the chemical formula CaO and is an inorganic compound. Calcium carbonate is found in rocks as the minerals calcite and aragonite, most notably in chalk, limestone, and marble. Calcium oxide, on the other hand, is usually manufactured by the thermal decomposition of limestone or seashells at temperatures above 625°C, a process called calcination. Calcium carbonate is used as an agricultural lime, calcium supplement, and antacid, while calcium oxide is used in cement production, steelmaking, and glass manufacturing.