Which statement best describes the chemical properties of CaCO3?

• A. CaCO3 decomposes at room temperature.
• B. CaCO3 is highly soluble in water.
• C. CaCO3 reacts with acids to produce CO2 gas.
• D. CaCO3 is a strong oxidizing agent.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the chemical nature of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It is a common inorganic salt composed of calcium ions (Ca^{2+}) and carbonate ions (CO_3^{2-}).
2. Step 2: Analyze the given statements based on known chemical properties of CaCO3. For example, consider its solubility in water, thermal stability, reactivity with acids, and oxidizing ability.
3. Step 3: Recall that CaCO3 is sparingly soluble in water, meaning it does not dissolve significantly at room temperature, so the statement about high solubility is incorrect.
4. Step 4: Recognize that CaCO3 is thermally stable at room temperature and does not decompose unless heated to high temperatures, so it does not decompose at room temperature.
5. Step 5: Remember that CaCO3 reacts with acids (like HCl) to produce carbon dioxide gas (CO_2), water, and a calcium salt, which is a characteristic chemical property. Also, CaCO3 is not known as a strong oxidizing agent.