What Is the Result of an Acid Reacting With a Carbonate?

The reaction which occurs between an acid and a carbonate compound produces a salt, water and the release of carbon dioxide. A word equation that can be used to express this reaction is “metal carbonate + acid —> metal salt + water + carbon dioxide.” A similar result occurs if the compound reacting with an acid is a bicarbonate substance.

A carbonate is a compound that contains the carbonate ion. This is the simplest oxocarbon anion, and it is comprised of one carbon atom surrounded by three oxygen atoms. Carbonates are widely found in nature, and they are used in a variety of industrial processes.

Acids are compounds that contain the H+ ion. These ions, which become mobile in solution, enable acids to conduct electric current. The strength of an acid is determined by how freely it gives up its hydrogen ions and is measured by the pH scale, which ranges from -1 through 7.

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