Loss of mass of Marble due to reaction with Nitric Acid
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A sample of marble chips is massed on an analytical balance. The chips, calcium carbonate, will be allowed to react with nitric acid to form carbon dioxide, water, and soluble calcium nitrate. This will result in a noticeable loss of mass.
The chips are poured into a beaker, and nitric acid solution is added.
The beaker is viewed two hours later. A color change of the solution and the presence of bubbles indicate that a chemical reaction has occurred. When viewed again later, a more pronounced color change is evident.
24 hours after the addition of the acid, the chips are rinsed, dried, and massed again. They show a noticeable loss of mass.
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© 1997 Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.