Something you may unknown about Calcium oxide

Calcium oxide is a kind of chemical compounds with the Chemical formula CaO. It is a colorless, cubic crystalline or white amorphous substance. Calcium oxide has many aliases, we often call it lime, quicklime, or caustic lime, its CAS No is 1305-78-8. In this article , we will tall about the basic feature and an unusual usage of Calcium oxide.

Now , let me show you the feature of Calcium oxide.

Calcium oxide is a strong emotional oxide, white or gray lumps or granules. It is sensitive to the wetlands and easy to absorb carbon dioxide from the air and water. Calcium oxide absorb the water, and make reaction with water, product calcium hydroxide, then calcium hydroxide can react with carbon dioxide in the air, at last Calcium oxide will become calcium carbonate, So Calcium oxide can not be stored in damp place for long time.

In above paragraph, we have known that calcium oxide can soluble in aqueous calcium hydroxid, in this process it also generates a lot of heat. Not only, Calcium oxide can soluble in water, but also in acids, glycerol .But practically insoluble in ethanol and sucrose solution. The relative density of 3.32 to 3.35. Melting point 2572 ℃. Boiling point 2850 ℃. Refractive index 1.838. Corrosive

You must know Calcium oxide can produce heat, be used as raw material and desiccant, but you may never heard that Calcium oxide can be used as a weapon.Now, let me tell you an interesting story about Calcium oxide.

Historian and philosopher David Hume, in his History of England, recounts that early in the reign of Henry III, the English Navy destroyed an invading French fleet by blinding the enemy fleet with Calcium oxide: D’Albiney employed a stratagem against them, which is said to have contributed to the victory: Having gained the wind of the French, he came down upon them with violence; and throwing in their faces a great quantity of Calcium oxide, which he purposely carried on board, he so blinded them, that they were disabled from defending themselves. Calcium oxide is also thought to have been a component of Greek fire. Upon contact with water, Calcium oxide would increase its temperature above 150 ℃ and ignite the fuel.

After reading this passage, have you made a deeper understanding of Calcium oxide?

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