The correct answer is D. All of the above.
Quicklime, also known as caustic lime, is a white, caustic, alkaline, non-metallic chemical compound with the chemical formula CaO. It is a quick-lime, meaning that it rapidly reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide. It is produced by calcining limestone (calcium carbonate) at high temperatures.
Quicklime is used in a variety of applications, including:
- Construction: Quicklime is used in the production of cement, mortar, and plaster.
- Agriculture: Quicklime is used to neutralize acidic soils and to improve the availability of nutrients for plants.
- Water treatment: Quicklime is used to remove impurities from water, such as suspended solids and dissolved minerals.
- Papermaking: Quicklime is used to remove impurities from wood pulp and to improve the strength of paper.
- Dyeing: Quicklime is used to fix dyes to fabrics.
- Metallurgy: Quicklime is used to remove impurities from metals, such as iron and steel.
Quicklime is a hazardous material and should be handled with care. It can cause skin and eye irritation, and it can be harmful if inhaled.
A. Is obtained by the calcination of pure lime stone
Calcination is the process of heating a material to a high temperature in order to drive off volatile components. In the case of quicklime, limestone (calcium carbonate) is heated to a temperature of about 800 degrees Celsius to produce quicklime (calcium oxide).
B. Has great affinity to moisture
Quicklime has a strong affinity for moisture. When quicklime comes into contact with water, it reacts to form calcium hydroxide (limewater). This reaction is exothermic, meaning that it releases heat. The heat generated by this reaction can be used to dry materials, such as wood and paper.
C. Is amorphous
Amorphous materials do not have a regular crystal structure. Quicklime is an amorphous material. This means that it does not have a specific melting point. Instead, it decomposes at a high temperature.