A saturated solution of calcium hydroxide in water. When carbon dioxide gas is bubbled through limewater, a ‘milky’ precipitate of calcium carbonate is formed:
If the carbon dioxide continues to be bubbled through, the calcium carbonate eventually redissolves to form a clear solution of calcium hydrogencarbonate:
If cold limewater is used the original calcium carbonate precipitated has a calcite structure; hot limewater yields an aragonite structure.