When calcium reacts with cold water, the products are

  • A. calcium oxide and hydrogen
  • B. calcium hydride and oxygen
  • C. calcium hydroxide and hydrogen
  • D. calcium carbonate and hydrogen

Explanation

Calcium reacts steadily with cold water to give a suspension of slightly soluble calcium hydroxide, known as limewater when filtered, together with bubbles of hydrogen. Magnesium reacts only very slowly with cold water but readily with steam, which gives the oxide instead. Calcium carbonate would require carbon dioxide to be present.

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