Which product besides a salt is produced when carbonate reacts with acid?

Which product besides a salt is produced when carbonate reacts with acid?

• A. Water
• B. Carbon dioxide
• C. Hydrogen
• D. Oxygen

Answer: (B)

When an acid reacts with a carbonate, the carbonate ion reacts with hydrogen ions to produce carbon dioxide and water, while the remaining ions form a salt. In words: carbonate plus acid gives a salt plus carbon dioxide plus water. A common example is calcium carbonate with hydrochloric acid: CaCO3 + 2HCl → CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O. The carbon dioxide is the gaseous product you can observe as fizzing or bubbling, which is why it’s identified as the product besides the salt. Water is also formed, but the gas released is the carbon dioxide.

When an acid reacts with a carbonate, the carbonate ion reacts with hydrogen ions to produce carbon dioxide and water, while the remaining ions form a salt. In words: carbonate plus acid gives a salt plus carbon dioxide plus water. A common example is calcium carbonate with hydrochloric acid: CaCO3 + 2HCl → CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O. The carbon dioxide is the gaseous product you can observe as fizzing or bubbling, which is why it’s identified as the product besides the salt. Water is also formed, but the gas released is the carbon dioxide.