Question

Unless under pressure, carbonic acid \(\left(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}\right)\) in aqueous solution breaks down into carbon dioxide and water and carbon dioxide is evolved as bubbles of gas. Write an equation for the conversion of carbonic acid to carbon dioxide and water.

Short answer

Answer: The balanced chemical equation for the breakdown of carbonic acid into carbon dioxide and water is H2CO3 → CO2 + H2O.

Step-by-step solution

Write the unbalanced equation

First, write down the molecular formulas for the reactants and products. Carbonic acid (H2CO3) decomposes into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The unbalanced equation is: H2CO3 → CO2 + H2O

Balance the chemical equation

Now, we need to balance the equation by ensuring the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides. In this case, the equation is already balanced: H2CO3 → CO2 + H2O There are two hydrogen atoms, one carbon atom, and three oxygen atoms on each side of the reaction. Thus, the balanced equation for the conversion of carbonic acid to carbon dioxide and water is: H2CO3 → CO2 + H2O