Stalagmites and Stalactites

No, a stalactite is a mineral formation that hangs from the ceiling of a cave, formed by the dripping of mineral-rich water. It is made of minerals such as calcite, but it forms on the ceiling, not the floor.

Limestone is a type of rock commonly associated with the formation of stalactites and stalagmites in caves. It is composed primarily of calcium carbonate, which is soluble in water, allowing for the slow formation of these mineral formations over thousands of years.

The scientific term for stalactites and stalagmites is speleothems. These formations are created in caves by the deposition of minerals from dripping water.

Stalagmites and stalactites are formed in caves from minerals deposited by dripping water. They are typically made of sedimentary rock, such as limestone, travertine, or gypsum, rather than igneous rock.

The growth rate of stalagamites depends upon the amount and rate of water entering the cave, the amount of acidity and minerals in the water and the temperature and humidity conditions in the cave.

It helps form both - though the cave comes first!

The CO2 solutuion is slightly acid - carbonic acid - and this dissolves the calcium carbonate that is limestone's main constituent.

Calcite hardens to form stalactites and stalagmites through the process of precipitation. Water containing dissolved calcite drips from the ceiling of a cave, leaving behind small amounts of calcite with each drop. Over time, these deposits accumulate and harden into the formations we see in caves.

Effervescence is observed when hydrochloric acid is added to a broken stalagmite made of calcium carbonate because the acid reacts with the calcium carbonate to produce carbon dioxide gas. This gas is released in the form of bubbles, creating the fizzing or effervescence effect.

Calcitic stalactites form when water containing dissolved calcium bicarbonate drips from the ceiling of a cave or cavern and leaves behind deposits of calcite as the water evaporates. Over time, as these deposits accumulate, they form the icicle-like structures known as stalactites.

Stalagmites (along with stalactites and flowstones) are known scientifically as SPELEOTHEMS.

The slower reaction in an underground cave could be due to the limited access to oxygen compared to the surface, which is crucial for many chemical reactions to occur. The lack of light in a cave can also limit photosynthesis, which produces energy for many living organisms involved in the reaction. Additionally, the stable and cooler temperatures in a cave may slow down the reaction rates compared to the more variable conditions on the surface.

Calcium carbonate is the mineral that makes up stalactites and stalagmites. It is primarily deposited by dripping water in caves over long periods of time, resulting in the formation of these structures.

When baking soda is dissolved in water, it forms a solution that can accumulate on surfaces as the water evaporates. As the water evaporates, the baking soda solidifies and can create stalactites due to the gradual buildup of the solid material in a downward direction. This process is similar to how minerals in water can form natural stalactites in caves over thousands of years.

The word equation for the reaction in which stalactites and stalagmites are produced is: calcium bicarbonate in water reacts with carbon dioxide gas to form calcium carbonate, water, and carbon dioxide gas.

The word equation for stalactites is calcium bicarbonate, drips down into cave, and then releases carbon dioxide into the cave air, leading to the formation of calcium carbonate.

The type of chemical weathering associated with the formation of stalagmites and stalactites is called carbonation. This process occurs when rainwater combines with carbon dioxide in the air and forms a weak carbonic acid, which dissolves limestone and creates the structures in caves over time.

No, stalagmites are typically formed by water dripping down from the roof of a cave and depositing calcite minerals. The presence of salt in the water can sometimes influence the formation of unique mineral structures within stalagmites, but salt itself is not the primary component in stalagmite formation.

No, stalagmites are formed from calcium carbonate deposits left behind by dripping water in caves. The water does not contain salt but rather minerals that have been dissolved from the surrounding rock. Over time, these minerals build up and solidify into the stalagmite formations.

Yes, the formation of stalagmites is considered a physical change. It involves the deposition of minerals from water onto cave floors, without any change in the chemical composition of the minerals themselves.

Mainly just shape and size. Both are stalactites - but soda straws (called simply "straws" in the UK) are just very thin, tubular ones. There is another difference: the water flows down the outside of an "ordinary" stalactite, but inside a soda straw.

The action of carbonic acid on limestone may produce skinholes, caverns, and formations like stalagmites. This process occurs through the chemical reaction between the acid and the calcium carbonate in the limestone, causing it to dissolve and form these structures over time.

Stalagmites are typically formed from calcium carbonate deposits left behind by dripping water in caves. This mineral-rich water slowly accumulates and solidifies over time, creating the cone-shaped stalagmites that grow from the floor of the cave.

Sodium Bicarbonate solution? Interesting question! Obviously not in nature, but you could try to design and perform an experiment to find out! I've not heard of anyone doing it, but given that an incredibly beautiful cave formed entirely in rock-salt (sodium chloride) has been discovered recently in Iran, I suppose it may be possible to make other substances grow into stalactites artificially - but only if crystalline. Is baking soda crystalline (beyond it being milled down to a fine powder), or amorphous by nature? Try it, and tell us!.

The acid is Carbonic Acid, formed by Carbon Dioxide from the atmosphere dissolving into rain-water, and though very weak capable of dissolving limestone whose main constituent is calcium Carbonate.

The stalactites are of calcite, crystallised calcium carbonate precipitated from that solution.

When carbon dioxide in soil dissolves in water, it forms carbonic acid. This acidic water can erode limestone rock formations underground, helping to form caves, stalagmites, and stalactites over time through the process of chemical weathering and deposition.