The detection of carbon with lime-water

Principle

Organic substances contain carbon and hydrogen atoms in their molecular structures. This is the reason why carbon dioxide and water is always produced when these substances are burned.

In this experiment, different organic substances are combusted and students investigate which substances are produced during the combustion. Students realize that carbon dioxide is produced during combustion, which is detected with lime water (formation of calcium carbonate). The formed water during the reaction is detected with an indicator paper

Learning objectives

• As organic substances contain carbon, carbon dioxide is always formed during their combustion.
• Carbon dioxide can be detected with limewater.