---
title: "Define quick lime"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:define-quick-lime"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/define-quick-lime
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Define quick lime

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 4: Lime

- Asked in: 2081 Baisakh, 1 marks; 2068 Chaitra, 0.5 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [The Ultimate Guide to Mastering the Lime / Quick lime: Everything You Need to Know!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJIIvrQzCf8) — MFA Civil Engineering
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/define-quick-lime
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-4

## Question

Define quick lime.

## Short answer

Quick lime is calcium oxide (CaO), a white lumpy material produced by burning limestone at 900–1000 °C. It slakes violently with water to give slaked lime.

## Answer

**Quick lime** is calcium oxide (CaO), a white lumpy material obtained by burning limestone at about 900 to 1000 °C. It is very reactive and slakes violently with water to form slaked lime.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Quick lime is:
   A. CaO
   B. Ca(OH)2
   C. CaCO3
   D. CaSO4
   Answer: A. Obtained by burning limestone. (Key point: Formula)

2. It is obtained at about:
   A. 100 degrees C
   B. 900 to 1000 degrees C
   C. 2000 degrees C
   D. 300 degrees C
   Answer: B. Calcination. (Key point: Temperature)

3. With water, quick lime:
   A. Does not react
   B. Turns to limestone
   C. Slakes violently to slaked lime
   D. Dissolves
   Answer: C. It forms Ca(OH)2. (Key point: Reaction)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Quick lime versus hydraulic lime](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aquick-lime-hydraulic-lime-difference) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 4