What is the name of the acid produced when CO2 reacts with water?
The acid produced when carbon dioxide (CO2) reacts with water is called carbonic acid (H2CO3). To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the reaction between carbon dioxide and water, which can be described by the chemical equation:
CO2 + H2O → H2CO3
In this reaction, carbon dioxide, represented by the formula CO2, combines with water (H2O) to form carbonic acid (H2CO3). Carbonic acid is a weak acid that can dissociate to release hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-).
The reaction between CO2 and water occurs naturally in our atmosphere, where CO2 dissolves in rainwater, forming carbonic acid. This process contributes to the phenomenon of acid rain and is also important in regulating the carbon cycle.