Question

What is a simple chemical test that will distinguish calcite from non-carbonate minerals?

Answer 1

Calcite with molecular formula CaCO_{3} is a carbonate minerals. It can be distinguish from non-carbonate minerals by reaction with HCl. The reaction of carbonate mineral, calcite with HCl produces effervescence due to the release of CO_{2} gas. This CO_{2} gas is produced due to the presence of carbonate in the calcite. The balanced chemical reaction is as follows:

CaCO_{3}+2HCl\rightarrow CaCl_{2}+H_{2}O+CO_{2}

Due to the absence of carbonate in non-carbonate minerals, the reaction with HCl does not form effervescence.

Answer 2

To distinguish calcite from non-carbonate minerals, HCl test can be used because when a drop of HCl makes to fall on calcite, it makes it fizz but no such reaction is given by non-carbonate minerals.So , Dropping some drops of HCl on both, calcite and non-carbonate minerals, can distinguish both. As when a drop of HCl makes to fall on calcite, it makes it fizz but no such reaction is given by non-carbonate minerals.