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carbonates, oxides and hydroxides of calcium, silicon, magnesium, aluminum, & iron
predominate, such as limestone. By contrast, quicklime specifically applies to a single
chemical compound.
Calcium hydroxide, traditionally called slaked lime, is an inorganic compound with the
chemical formula Ca(OH)2. It is a colourless crystal or white powder and is obtained
when calcium oxide (quicklime) is mixed, or "slaked" with water.
When heated to 512 °C, the partial pressure of water in equilibrium with calcium
hydroxide reaches 101 kPa that decomposes calcium hydroxide into calcium oxide and
water.
A suspension of fine calcium hydroxide particles in water is called milk of lime. The
solution is called lime water and is a medium strength base that reacts with acids and
attacks many metals in presence of water. Lime water turns milky in the presence of
carbon dioxide due to formation of calcium carbonate:
Calcium carbonate will react with water that is saturated with carbon dioxide to form the
soluble calcium bicarbonate.
Dissolve 50 grams potassium carbonate in 500 to 600 cc. water. Heat to boiling in an iron
or silver vessel, and gradually add the slaked lime obtained from 25 to 30 grams of good
quick-lime. During the operation the mass should be stirred with an iron spatula. After
the solution is cool, draw it off by means of a siphon into a bottle. The reaction is based
on the fact that calcium carbonate is insoluble, and that potassium carbonate and calcium
hydroxide are soluble: