I am just starting chemistry and i do not know what my instructor wants.
Write an equilibrium equation for the reaction of CO2 with water to produce carbonic acid and then bicarbonate and H+.
What I have come up with is: H2CO3=H+ + HCO3-. This really does not look right. Can anyone help me with this?
Thank you in advance.
Equilibrium Equation
Moderators: Xen, expert, ChenBeier
Hey it should be like this, since carbonic acid is diprotic acid and when it dissociates, first it loses its first proton and then it loses its second proton.
CO2 + H2O ⇌ H2CO3
H2CO3 ⇌ (equilibrium sign) HCO3− + H+
Carbonic acid giving off bicarbonate and proton (H+).
You are done i think till this point.
Bicarbonate gives off carbonate ions and hyrogen ion.
HCO3− ⇌ CO32− + H+
hope it helps,
-Sharan
CO2 + H2O ⇌ H2CO3
H2CO3 ⇌ (equilibrium sign) HCO3− + H+
Carbonic acid giving off bicarbonate and proton (H+).
You are done i think till this point.
Bicarbonate gives off carbonate ions and hyrogen ion.
HCO3− ⇌ CO32− + H+
hope it helps,
-Sharan