Chemical Reaction:
- When carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas dissolves in water (H₂O), it forms carbonic acid (H₂CO₃).
- The reaction is as follows: CO₂ + H₂O ⇌ H₂CO₃.
- This is a reversible reaction, meaning it can proceed in both forward and backward directions.
- Significance of Carbonic Acid:
- Carbonic acid is a weak acid and partially dissociates into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻).
- This reaction is crucial for maintaining the pH of blood and other bodily fluids in animals.
- Impact on the Environment:
- The dissolution of CO₂ in ocean water is a significant factor in the carbon cycle.
- This process helps regulate the Earth’s temperature by controlling the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere.
- Increased levels of dissolved CO₂ in the oceans can lead to ocean acidification, which affects marine life, especially organisms that form shells or skeletons of calcium carbonate (like corals and shellfish).
- Applications:
- Understanding this process is important in fields like environmental science, marine biology, and climatology.
- It also has implications in industries such as beverage production, where CO₂ is dissolved in water to create carbonated drinks.
- Experimental Observations:
- When CO₂ is bubbled through water in a laboratory, it leads to a slight acidification of the water, which can be tested using pH indicators like litmus paper (turns red in acidic conditions).