Obtaining Zinc Oxide from Calamine.

... Obtaining Zinc Oxide from Calamine Calamine is a mineral containing zinc carbonate. On heating the mineral, it decomposes into zinc oxide and carbon dioxide. ZnCO3(s) ZnO(s) + CO2(g) This equation allows me to calculate a theoretical conversion rate of calamine to zinc oxide. But how close to this theory can be achieved in practice. Task: To compare the theoretical conversion chart to an experimental conversion chart of calamine to zinc oxide. To work this out we need to find out the relative atomic mass of the compounds. ZnCO3(s) ZnO(s) + CO2(g) 65 + 12 + (16 * 3) 65 + 16 + [12 + (16 * 2)] 125 81 + 44 Theoretical conversion chart Thermal decomposition of carbonates Many metal carbonates decompose on heating as shown by the word equation Metal carbonate metal oxide + carbon dioxide The decomposition often results in the solid being heated, changing colour and carbon dioxide being given off. The carbon dioxide can be detected

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