Limestone, a fizzy rock – question bank

An inquiry approach is a method often used in science education. This question bank provides an initial list of questions that teachers and students might ask about our resources on limestone’s geology, biology, chemistry and uses, and places where their answers can be found.

The article Limestone, a fizzy rock – introduction has links to further resources and student activities.

Q. What is limestone?

• Limestone origins

• New Zealand limestone origins

• Limestone: secrets revealed

Q. How old is limestone?

• Limestone origins

• Limestone: secrets revealed

• Toilet roll geologic timescale

Q. How is limestone made?

• New Zealand limestone origins

• Professor Cam Nelson

• Discovery of temperate limestones

Q. What is limestone used for?

• Limestone uses

• Lime – a time-tested chemical

• Limestone: secrets revealed

• History of limestone uses – timeline

Q. The main mineral in limestone is calcium carbonate. What are the properties of this mineral?

• Carbonate chemistry

• Limestone: secrets revealed

• Carbonates in and on the ear

Q. What is biomineralisation?

• Calcium carbonate biomineralisation

• Hydrogel biomineralisation

• Biomineralisation explained

Q. Can pāua shell be made artificially?

• Professor Kathryn McGrath

• Hydrogel biomineralisation

• Lab biomineralisation 1

• Lab biomineralisation 2

• Lab biomineralisation 3

Q. What is a cold seep?

• Cold-seep carbonates

• Cold seeps explained

• Cold seeps and cold-seep carbonates

• Dr Ashley Rowden

Q. How are cold seeps found?

• Exploring New Zealand’s cold seeps

• Sampling cold seep communities

• Dr Ashley Rowden

Q. What are cold-seep communities?

• Cold-seep communities

• Cold seeps and living things

• Sampling cold seep communities