Write chemical equations and corresponding equilibrium expressions for each of the two ionization steps of carbonic acid
Write chemical equations for first ionization step of carbonic acid
write chemical equations for second ionization step of carbonic acid.
What if I told you that I do not
To write the chemical equations for the ionization steps of carbonic acid (H2CO3), we need to consider its dissociation into ions in aqueous solution.
First ionization step of carbonic acid:
H2CO3 <==> H+ + HCO3-
The chemical equation for the first ionization step of carbonic acid is:
H2CO3 <==> H+ + HCO3-
Second ionization step of carbonic acid:
HCO3- <==> H+ + CO3^2-
The chemical equation for the second ionization step of carbonic acid is:
HCO3- <==> H+ + CO3^2-
Now, let's write the corresponding equilibrium expressions for each ionization step.
For the first ionization step, the equilibrium expression is given by:
K1 = [H+][HCO3-] / [H2CO3]
For the second ionization step, the equilibrium expression is given by:
K2 = [H+][CO3^2-] / [HCO3-]
Please note that the equilibrium constants K1 and K2 represent the equilibrium concentrations of the products (H+ and the respective anion) divided by the equilibrium concentration of the reactant (carbonic acid or the respective anion). The square brackets indicate the concentration of each species involved in the equilibrium.
Keep in mind that these reactions occur in aqueous solution, so the concentrations of the ions can vary depending on the initial concentration of carbonic acid and reaction conditions.
K = (concentration of products)/(concentration of reactants) with each concentration raised to the power shown by the coefficient in the balanced equation. That's the general way to do it. Applied to H2CO3 it looks like this.
k1 = (H^+)(HCO3^-)/(H2CO3). In this case the coefficients are 1 do you don't need to add a power to any of the concentrations.
k2 = (H^+)(CO3^2-)/(HCO3^-). Same thing about exponents. Since they are 1 it is understood and the 1 need not be there.
H2CO3 ==> H^+ + HCO3^-
HCO3^- ==> H^+ + CO3^2-
Surely you know how to write the k1 and k2 expressions.