Final answer:
Calcite (CaCO3), which is common in minerals like limestone, fizzes when it comes into contact with dilute hydrochloric acid as it reacts to form carbon dioxide gas, calcium chloride, and water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The common mineral that fizzes when dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) is placed on it is calcite. The chemical formula for calcite is CaCO3, which is calcium carbonate. The fizzing occurs because the acid reacts with the calcite to produce carbon dioxide gas (CO2). This reaction is commonly used as a field test by geologists to identify the presence of calcite in rocks such as limestone.
Limestone, which is primarily composed of calcite, is known to fizz in the presence of dilute HCl due to this acid-carbonate reaction. Upon contact with the acid, the calcium carbonate in the limestone reacts to form calcium chloride (CaCl2), water (H2O), and the effervescent carbon dioxide gas:
CaCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → CaCl2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)