Question

What is magnesium oxide and calcium carbonate?

Answer 1

Magnesium oxide (MgO), or magnesia, is a white hygroscopic solid mineral that occurs naturally as periclase and is a source of magnesium (see also oxide). It has an empirical formula of MgO and consists of a lattice of Mg²⁺ ions and O²⁻ ions held together by ionic bonding. Magnesium hydroxide forms in the presence of water (MgO + H₂O → Mg(OH)₂), but it can be reversed by heating it to separate moisture.

Calcium carbonate is a chemical compoundwith the formula CaCO₃. It is a common substance found in rocks as the mineralscalcite and aragonite (most notably as limestone, which contains both of those minerals) and is the main component of pearls and the shells of marine organisms, snails, and eggs. Calcium carbonate is the active ingredient in agricultural lime and is created when calcium ions in hard water react with carbonate ions to create limescale. It is medicinally used as a calcium supplement or as an antacid, but excessive consumption can be hazardous.