Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, bool given in /var/www/html/web/app/themes/studypress-core-theme/template-parts/header/mobile-offcanvas.php on line 20

The reaction of an acid with a carbonate or hydrogen carbonate gives what three products?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The reaction of an acid with a carbonate or bicarbonate produces salt, carbon dioxide, and water.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the Reactants

Acids typically react with carbonates ( ext{CO}_3^{2-}) or hydrogen carbonates ( ext{HCO}_3^{-}). When forming a reaction equation, we can use a general acid, represented by ext{HxA}, where ext{A} is the anion, and a carbonate or bicarbonate such as ext{Na}_2 ext{CO}_3 (sodium carbonate) or ext{NaHCO}_3 (sodium bicarbonate).
02

Products of the Reaction

The general products of this reaction are a salt, carbon dioxide gas ( ext{CO}_2), and water ( ext{H}_2 ext{O}). For example, when hydrochloric acid ( ext{HCl}) reacts with sodium carbonate ( ext{Na}_2 ext{CO}_3), the products are sodium chloride ( ext{NaCl}), carbon dioxide ( ext{CO}_2), and water ( ext{H}_2 ext{O}).
03

Write Balanced Chemical Equation

An example of such a reaction is \[2 ext{HCl} (aq) + ext{Na}_2 ext{CO}_3 (s) ightarrow 2 ext{NaCl} (aq) + ext{CO}_2 (g) + ext{H}_2 ext{O} (l)\]. This shows that two moles of hydrochloric acid react with one mole of sodium carbonate to produce two moles of sodium chloride, one mole of carbon dioxide, and one mole of water.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Reaction Products
When an acid reacts with a carbonate or hydrogen carbonate, the products you get are very consistent. This consistency is crucial as it helps predict the outcome of such reactions easily. The three main products formed are:
  • Salt: This is typically based on the anion from the acid used in the reaction. For instance, if the acid is hydrochloric acid (HCl), the salt produced will be a chloride like sodium chloride (\(\text{NaCl}\)).
  • Carbon Dioxide (\(\text{CO}_2\)): This results from the acid liberating CO2 gas during the reaction, and is often observed as bubbling or effervescence.
  • Water (\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)): This is the simplest product formed, involving the contribution of hydroxyl ions from the carbonate or bicarbonate.
Knowing these products not only helps in writing chemical equations but also in understanding the nature of the reactions taking place.
Chemical Equations
Writing a chemical equation accurately represents what occurs during an acid-carbonate reaction. An equation guides you to understand the proportions of reactants and products involved.
For instance, when hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium carbonate, the balanced chemical equation is:
\[ 2 \text{HCl} (aq) + \text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3 (s) \rightarrow 2 \text{NaCl} (aq) + \text{CO}_2 (g) + \text{H}_2\text{O} (l) \]
This equation illustrates the stoichiometry, meaning each element's atoms need to balance on both sides of the equation. In our example, two moles of hydrochloric acid react with one mole of sodium carbonate to produce two moles of sodium chloride, one mole of carbon dioxide, and one mole of water.
Here are some important steps to consider when writing chemical equations:
  • Identify the reactants and products clearly.
  • Make sure that the number of atoms for each element is balanced on both sides.
  • Use correct state symbols (like \(aq\) for aqueous, \(s\) for solid, \(g\) for gas, and \(l\) for liquid).
Following these steps ensures a clear understanding of the reaction's mechanics.
Carbonate Reactions
Carbonate reactions are quite common in chemistry, especially those involving acid-base chemistry. When a carbonate or hydrogen carbonate comes into contact with an acid, a chemical reaction occurs, resulting in the formation of new substances.
A simple example can be seen when using baking soda (a common hydrogen carbonate known as sodium bicarbonate, \(\text{NaHCO}_3\)) and vinegar (acetic acid). When these two interact, they produce carbon dioxide, water, and a salt - sodium acetate in this case.
Carbonate reactions are key to many scientific fields such as geology and environmental science. They help in understanding processes like:
  • Weathering of Rocks: Carbonate minerals in rocks react with acids in rainwater, contributing to geological formations.
  • Carbon Cycle: In the global carbon cycle, carbonate reactions help assess carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
  • Coral Reefs Formation: Coral reefs are made largely of calcium carbonate, which also involves reactions similar to carbonates.
Understanding carbonate reactions helps grasp the basic nature of chemical reactions and their broader applications.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free