Question:

Which compound is added to cement to increase its setting time?

Updated On: Jan 16, 2025
  • Gypsum

  • Lime stone

  • Clay

  • Calcium carbonate

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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O)

Explanation:

  • When cement is mixed with water, the setting process begins due to hydration reactions of the compounds present in cement, especially tricalcium aluminate (C3A).
  • These reactions occur rapidly, leading to a very quick setting of cement, which can make it difficult to work with during construction.
  • Gypsum, which is chemically calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O), is added to cement to regulate the setting time.
  • Gypsum slows down the hydration of tricalcium aluminate (C3A) by forming a coating around the particles, giving more time for mixing, transportation, and placing of the cement.

Conclusion:

Gypsum is added to cement to increase its setting time and make it workable during construction.

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Concepts Used:

Surface Chemistry

The study of the chemical phenomena that occur at the interface of two surfaces which can be solid-liquid, solid-gas, solid-vacuum, liquid-gas, etc. 

Read Also: Surface Chemistry

Applications of surface chemistry are:

Adsorption:

The process of attraction and aggregation of the molecules of a substance on the surface of a solid is known as adsorption. For Example, N2 adsorbs on the surface of activated charcoal

Two types of adsorption are:-

  • Chemisorption: It is also known as Chemical Adsorption.
  • Physisorption: It is also known as Physical Adsorption.

Corrosion:

The process through which the refined metals convert themselves into more stable compounds is known as corrosion.

Crystallisation:

The type of technique used in order to purify the substances to separate Solids from liquids is known as crystallisation.

Heterogeneous Catalysis:

The process wherein a catalyst is used in order to increase the rate of a chemical reaction is known as catalysis. The catalyst does not undergo any transformation and can be recovered in a chemically unchanged state. 

There are two types of catalysis:-

  • When the catalyst involved and the reacting substances are same states of matter or in the same phase, it is known as Homogeneous Catalysis.
  • When the catalyst involved and the reacting substances are in different states of matter or different phases, it is known as Heterogeneous Catalysis.