Question

Does chalk powder dissolve in water? If not why?

Answer 1

1. No, chalk powder does not dissolve completely in water and after mixing when left undisturbed, it will settle down at the bottom of the beaker because the force of attraction between calcium and carbonate ions is stronger than the ions of calcium carbonate and water.
2. The solution formed by adding chalk to water is a suspension in which solute particles i.e. chalk powder does not dissolve in solvent i.e. water.

• Calcium carbonate (${\mathrm{CaCO}}_3$) is the main component in chalk.
• Chalk has the characteristics of low solubility in water to make the chalk dissolve in water.
• The solubility of ${\mathrm{CaCO}}_3$ in water is extremely low, so only a minute amount of ${\mathrm{CaCO}}_3$can be dissolved in a normal amount of water.