Test for Carbon Dioxide (AQA GCSE Chemistry): Revision Notes

Carbon dioxide is a gas commonly produced in a variety of chemical reactions, including the reaction of acids with carbonates. It can be easily identified using the lime water test.

How to Test for Carbon Dioxide: The Lime Water Test

1. Capture the Gas:

• Collect the gas produced from a reaction and channel it through a delivery tube.

2. Pass through Lime Water:

• Bubble the gas through a U-tube or a container filled with lime water (a solution of calcium hydroxide).

3. Observe the Result:

• If carbon dioxide is present, the lime water will turn cloudy or milky. This cloudiness occurs because carbon dioxide reacts with the calcium hydroxide in the lime water to form calcium carbonate, which is insoluble and appears as a white precipitate.