Question

How do you write the chemical equation for the reaction of carbonic acid (`H_2CO_3`) with water?

Answer 1

Carbonic acid is a WEAK Bronsted acid......

Explanation:

`H_2CO_3(aq) +H_2O(l) rarr H_3O^(+) + ""^(-)O(O=)C-OH`

`"Carbonic acid "rarr" bicarbonate ion"`

Most of the time we can treat carbonic acid, `H_2CO_3`, as hydrated carbon dioxide: i.e. `H_2CO_3-=(O=)_2C*H_2O`. The oxidation states are the same.