Carbonic acid is a diprotic acid that ionizes in two stages.
Write the two equations for the successive ionizations of carbonic acid in water.
To write the equations for the successive ionizations of carbonic acid (H2CO3) in water, we need to consider the reactions through which it dissociates and releases hydrogen ions (H+).
The first ionization of carbonic acid can be represented as follows:
H2CO3 + H2O ⇌ HCO3- + H3O+
In this reaction, one hydrogen ion is released, and the resulting species is the bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) along with a hydronium ion (H3O+).
The second ionization of carbonic acid involves the further dissociation of the bicarbonate ion:
HCO3- + H2O ⇌ CO32- + H3O+
In this reaction, another hydrogen ion is released, forming the carbonate ion (CO32-) along with a hydronium ion (H3O+).
So, the two equations for the successive ionizations of carbonic acid in water are:
H2CO3 + H2O ⇌ HCO3- + H3O+
HCO3- + H2O ⇌ CO32- + H3O+
It is important to note that the arrows in the equations represent a reversible reaction, indicating that the dissociation of these ions can proceed in either direction depending on the conditions.
The first one is
H2CO3 ==> H^+ + HCO3^-
I will let you write th second one.