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No, it can't. Limestone melts only at high temperatures. But carbonic acid can, over the course of time, attack and dissolve a lot of limestone. Here's the deal, and it's on the mark. The atmosphere contains mostly nitrogen and oxygen as you know, but there's a bit of darbon dioxide in there, too. And water in the air picks up CO2 and becomes carbonic acid. This is carried to earth in rain. This doesn't "affect" rain all that much, but it does lower the pH of rain a bit. And the carbonic acid, though it is weak, will seep into the ground where limestone layers form an under layer and slowly, over the course of geologic time, dissolve the limestone to create some fantastic caves!

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Large amounts of carbonic acid are found in what?

Large amounts of carbonic acid can be found in carbonated beverages such as soda and sparkling water. Carbonic acid is formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in water.


Is limestone dissolved by carbonic acid a chemical weathering or a mechanical weathering?

This is chemical weathering. Carbonic acid (and often sulphuric acid from SO2) destroy CaCO3 (limestone) through chemical attack.Carbonic acid is formed by reaction of H2O and CO2 to create H2CO3.


How does carbon dioxide in the air weather rocks?

Carbonic acid reacts chemically with limestone, which is observed as weathering. As such, carbonic acid weathering is a chemical, not physical, change.


Which process has occurred when limestone in the earth has been eaten away by carbonic acid?

The process that occurs when limestone is eaten away by carbonic acid is called chemical weathering, specifically carbonation. When carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in water, it forms carbonic acid (H2CO3), which can react with calcium carbonate (the primary component of limestone) to create calcium bicarbonate. This reaction leads to the dissolution of limestone, often resulting in features like caves and sinkholes.


What type of rock do karst form in?

Karst typically forms in soluble rock types such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum which are prone to chemical weathering by groundwater. These rocks are easily dissolved by carbonic acid in water, resulting in the creation of karst landscapes characterized by features like sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage systems.

Related Questions

Does carbonic acid cause the dissolution of limestone?

Yes, carbonic acid dissolves limestone as does any other acid. As carbonic acid is not a very strong acid this process is very sluggish, though.


Is limestone dissolved by carbonic acid chemical or mechanical?

The dissolution of limestone by carbonic acid is a chemical process. Carbonic acid reacts with the calcium carbonate in limestone to form calcium bicarbonate, which is soluble in water. This chemical reaction causes the limestone to dissolve.


What kind of acid has weathered the limestone in caves?

Carbonic acid


List two kinds of rock that are easily weathered by carbonic acid?

Limestone and marble are two types of rock that are easily weathered by carbonic acid, which is a common acid found in rainwater. Over time, carbonic acid dissolves these rocks, leading to the formation of caves, sinkholes, and other karst topography features.


What reaction creates topography?

Carbonic acid with limestone


What does groundwater naturally contain that allows it to dissolve limestone and caverns?

Carbonic Acid


What kind of weathering is limestone dissolved by carbonic acid?

Limestone is dissolved by carbonic acid through a process called chemical weathering. Carbonic acid forms when rainwater combines with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere or soil, creating a weak acid that gradually breaks down the calcium carbonate in limestone over time.


Large amounts of carbonic acid are found in what?

Large amounts of carbonic acid can be found in carbonated beverages such as soda and sparkling water. Carbonic acid is formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in water.


Is carbonic acid an acid that forms caves?

Yes, carbonic acid (H2CO3) can dissolve limestone and other minerals in rocks to create caves over long periods of time through a process called carbonation. Carbonic acid reacts with the calcium carbonate in limestone to form calcium bicarbonate, which is more soluble and leads to cave formation.


Carbonic acid dissolves limestone and other rocks This is an example of?

Fizz


What does groundwater naturally contain that allows it to dissolve limestone and form caverns?

Groundwater naturally contains carbonic acid, which forms when carbon dioxide dissolves in water. This carbonic acid reacts with the calcium carbonate in limestone, leading to dissolution and the formation of caverns over time.


Is limestone dissolved by carbonic acid a chemical weathering or a mechanical weathering?

This is chemical weathering. Carbonic acid (and often sulphuric acid from SO2) destroy CaCO3 (limestone) through chemical attack.Carbonic acid is formed by reaction of H2O and CO2 to create H2CO3.