Describe and explain the similarities and differences between the reaction of a silicate with an acid and that of a carbonate with an acid.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Both silicates and carbonates form a salt when they react with an acid. However, carbonates additionally produce carbon dioxide and water, while silicates produce silicic acid.

Step by step solution

01

Explaining the reaction of silicate with an acid

Silicates react with strong acids to form silicic acid (H4SiO4) and a salt. This reaction can be represented as follows: \( SiO_2 + 4HCl \rightarrow H_4SiO_4 + 2Cl_2 \). Silicates form orthosilicic acid when they react with acids.
02

Explaining the reaction of carbonate with an acid

Carbonates react with acids to produce carbon dioxide, a salt, and water. An example of such a reaction is: \( CaCO_3 + 2HCl \rightarrow CaCl_2 + CO_2 + H_2O \). Carbonates form carbon dioxide gas, which can be visibly seen as effervescence during the reaction when they come in contact with acids.
03

Comparing the reactions

In both reactions, a salt is formed. However, the difference lies in the fact that while carbonates produce carbon dioxide as a gas, silicates form an additional compound, silicic acid, and do not produce any gas.

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