Limestone is an important raw material used in many different industries.

a. One of the properties of limestone is that it reacts with acids.

(i) Why do farmers spread powdered limestone on their fields?

(ii) How can buildings made of limestone be affected by ‘acid rain’?

(iii) Write an ionic equation which would represent the reactions taking place in both (i) and (ii).

b. Limestone is used in the manufacture of iron.

(i) Why is it added to the blast furnace along with coke and haematite?

(ii) Write chemical equations for the reactions it is involved in, in this process.

c. (i) Name a building material made by heating a mixture of limestone and clay in a rotary kiln.

(ii) What substance is the dry product produced in the rotary kiln added to? Explain why this substance is added.