Z.+Shea-Hill-Reaction+Wiki

The chemical reaction that I chose to write about forms two completely different chemical compounds; calcium oxide and sulfur dioxide. The reaction can be represented by this equation, CaSO3->CaO+SO2, or calcium sulfite decomposes into calcium oxide and sulfur dioxide when heated (sorry Doc, I could not get the delta over the arrow). Both of the products of this chemical reaction have their own uses and capabilities, all of which will be explained. Let us take a look at the products of the chemical reaction.

Calcium oxide is the first product of this chemical reaction. It is a chemical compound composed of ond calcium atom and one oxigen atom. Also known as lime, calcium oxide is used to help treat sewage and clean water. Farmers spread lime on their soil to neutralize acid and homeowners often use lime on their lawns to prevent the growth of moss. Lime can also be used to refine aluminum, copper, and zinc. In foundations for highways and airport runways, lime helps to stabilize the soil. In leather production, tanneries use it to remove animal hair from their hides. Finally lime, along with sand and water, is used in mortar that is layered between bricks or stones in the walls of buildings and it is a key ingredient in plaster and Portland cement.  calcium oxide a.k.a. lime

lime (powder)

  The other product of this chemical reaction is sulfur dioxide. This chemical compound is composed of one sufur atom and two oxigen atoms. Sulfur dioxide, not to be confused with sulfate (SO4) is a colorless, poisonous gas that has a distinct odor. This chemical compound is extremely dangerous to the environment. Sulfur dioxide can combine with rain to form acid rain, which is harmful to plants, animals, and even buildings. The government of the United States of America even limits the amount of sulfur dioxide that industries are allowed to let out into the air. Although sulfur dioxide itself is harmful to the environment, this gas can react with water to produce sulfurous acid, which is used as a bleach and as a food preservative. Sulfur dioxide is also used to prepare such chemicals as sulfites and sulfuric acid.

 some factories let out sulfur dioxide 

Calcium sulfite is the reactant of this chemical reaction, that means that it is the compound that helps to form the products; calcium oxide and sulfur dioxide. This chemical compound consists of one calcium atom, one sulfur atom and three oxigen atoms.

In conclution, the decomposition of calcium sulfite produces calcium oxide and sulfer dioxide. Calcium oxide is also known as lime and is very helpful to the evironment. On the contuary, sulfer dioxide is very harmful to the environment.  

References:

www.worldbookonline.com www.answers.com www.palimpsest.stanford.edu