Chemical name: Calcium carbonate

IUPAC name: Calcium carbonate

Formula: CaCO₃

Appearance: Fine white powder; chalky taste

Uses:

• The main use of calcium carbonate is in the construction industry, either as a building material, or limestone aggregate for road building, as an ingredient of cement, or as the starting material for the preparation of builders’ lime by burning in a kiln.
• Agricultural lime, powdered chalk or limestone, is used as a cheap method for neutralising acidic soil, making it suitable for planting.
• Calcium carbonate is a key ingredient in many household cleaning powders like Comet and is used as a scrubbing agent.