Properties
When heated to 512 °C, the partial pressure of water in equilibrium with calcium hydroxide reaches 101 kPa, which decomposes calcium hydroxide into calcium oxide and water.
- Ca(OH)2 → CaO + H2O
A suspension of fine calcium hydroxide particles in water is called milk of lime. The solution is called limewater and is a medium strength base that reacts with acids and attacks many metals. Limewater turns milky in the presence of carbon dioxide due to formation of calcium carbonate, a process called carbonatation:
- Ca(OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + H2O
Read more about this topic: Calcium Hydroxide
Famous quotes containing the word properties:
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—John Locke (1632–1704)
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