The compound A on heating gives a colourless gas and a residue that is dissolved in water to obtain B.…

30 2010 AIPMT-MAINS The s-Block ElementsCompounds of calcium Medium
The compound A on heating gives a colourless gas and a residue that is dissolved in water to obtain B. Excess of $CO_2$ is bubbled through aqueous solution of B, C is formed which is recovered in the solid form. Solid C on gentle heating gives back A. The compound is
A $CaCO_3$
B $Na_2CO_3$
C $K_2CO_3$
D $CaSO_4\cdot2H_2O$

Detailed Solution

$Na_2CO_3$ and $K_2CO_3$ are stable to heat and do not decompose, and gypsum only loses water, so A must be $CaCO_3$.
Heating A: $CaCO_3 \xrightarrow{\Delta} CaO + CO_2\uparrow$ (colourless gas, residue CaO)
Residue in water: $CaO + H_2O \rightarrow Ca(OH)_2$, so B is $Ca(OH)_2$
Excess $CO_2$ through B: $Ca(OH)_2 + 2CO_2 \rightarrow Ca(HCO_3)_2$, so C is $Ca(HCO_3)_2$
Gentle heating of C: $Ca(HCO_3)_2 \xrightarrow{\Delta} CaCO_3 + CO_2 + H_2O$, which gives back A
Hence the compound A is $CaCO_3$.

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