Limestone stalactites and stalagmites are formed in caves by the following reaction:
Ca2+(aq) + 2HCO3-(aq) --> CaCO3(s) + CO2(g) + H2O(l) . If one mol of CaCO3 forms at 298 K under 1 atm pressure, the reaction performs 2.48 kJ of P - V work, pushing back the atmosphere as the gaseous CO2 forms...