Place two drops of SOLUTION in a tube and observe attentively while adding two d

Question

Place two drops of SOLUTION in a tube and observe attentively while adding two drops of 1.5M H_2 SO_4 (aq). Mix thoroughly, place in warm water (this may or may not be necessary), and observe again. The formation of bubbles of carbon dioxide confirms the presence of the CO_3^2- ion. What would the problem be with your method if you had a test tube with carbonate ions in it and you added acid, put it in warm water and waited for a bit, then looked at it a while later? Write the balanced reaction of carbonate ions accepting protons to form carbonic acid, which decomposes to produce carbon dioxide and water. Write it first as a two-step reaction, then as a single overall reaction.

Explanation / Answer

Two step reaction:

Step 1: Carbonate ion reacts with sulfuric acid to form carbonic acid

CO32- + H2SO4 ------ H2CO3 + SO42-

Step 2: Carbonic acid decomposes to form carbon dioxide and water

H2CO3 ------ CO2 + H2O

Overall reaction:

CO32- + H2SO4 -------- CO2 + H2O + SO42-

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