Metal carbonates (such as: CaCO3, Na2CO3 etc) are ACIDIC in nature or BASIC? Thanks

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1 Answer
Jan 13, 2016

Carbonate salts are weakly basic.

Explanation:

CO_3^(2-) + H_2O rightleftharpoons HCO_3^(-) + OH^-

At equilibrium, a small concentration of hydroxide will be present. The Ca^(2+) and Na^(+) counterions are simply along for the ride, and do not influence pH.