Question

The carbon cycle can be described using chemical reactions. When carbonate rocks like limestone and silicate rocks like sandstone are metamorphosed, the components may react with each other: CaCO3 + SiO2 → CaSiO3 + ? What is the missing product in this chemical equation? What does the equation tell you about the role of metamorphism in the carbon cycle?

a. CO2
b. H2O
c. O2
d. CH4

Answer 1

The missing product in the metamorphic reaction of carbonate and silicate rocks is CO2, which shows that metamorphism can release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and influence the carbon cycle.

Step-by-step explanation:

The missing product in the chemical equation CaCO3 + SiO2 → CaSiO3 is CO2. This reaction is a simplified representation of what happens during the metamorphism of carbonate and silicate rocks.

Metamorphism plays a role in the carbon cycle by releasing carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. This process can influence atmospheric CO2 levels, which are important for various earth processes, including the process of photosynthesis and the regulation of global temperatures.