Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound composed of calcium (Ca), carbon (C), and oxygen (O). In its natural state, it is commonly found in rocks, shells of marine organisms like snails and coral, and pearls. It is also the main component of limestone, marble, and chalk.
The chemical formula CaCO3 represents the composition of calcium carbonate. In this formula:
- "Ca" represents calcium, which is a metal element with the atomic number 20.
- "C" represents carbon, which is a non-metal element with the atomic number 6.
- "O" represents oxygen, which is a non-metal element with the atomic number 8.
The subscript numbers in the formula indicate the ratio of atoms in the compound. In calcium carbonate, there is one calcium atom (Ca), one carbon atom (C), and three oxygen atoms (O) bonded together.
So, when calcium carbonate is formed, one calcium atom combines with one carbon atom and three oxygen atoms to create the compound CaCO3. This arrangement of atoms forms a stable structure, giving calcium carbonate its characteristic properties, such as its role in the formation of rocks and its use in various industrial applications.