CARBONIC ACID

SUBJECT: CHEMISTRY
CLASS: 11 SCIENCE
TEACHER: MS. J. PERSAUD
  TREASURE WHINFIELD
 LAUREN GRAVESANDE

Group Members:  CHRISLEYANN RICHARDS

 TIQONA JOHN
 YOGEETA SINGH
What is Carbonic Acid?

Carbonic acid is a very weak acid formed in

solution when carbon dioxide dissolves in water.
This is a dibasic acid. The pH for carbonic acid is
4.18
Where Carbonic Acid is present

Carbonic acid is present in blood in the human body. It is best

known as a component of most aerated drinks, such as sodas
and soft drinks. Artificially carbonated sparkling wines, and
other bubbly beverages, It is also present in rainwater, calcite,
fermentation, coal, groundwater, meteors, volcanoes, amino
acids, proteins, oceans, plants, erythrocytes, Sulphur deposits,
salts, and caves.
 H2CO3 is a very important compound with a wide
range of applications. Some of these uses of
carbonic acid are listed below. The preparation of
carbonated water, sparkling wine, and other aerated
drinks involve the use of carbonic acid.H2CO3 is
used in the precipitation of many ammonium salts
such as ammonium persulfate. It helps in the
Uses of Carbonic transportation of carbon dioxide out of the body.
Various bases containing nitrogen in blood serum
Acid are protonated by H2CO3Ringworm and other
dermatitides are treated via the application of
carbonic acid over the affected area. Solutions
containing this compound are very effective in the
cleaning of contact lenses. It can be consumed
orally in order to induce vomiting whenever
required (such as in drug overdose cases).
Structure of Carbonic Acid

Carbonic acid, (H2CO3), a compound of the element's hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen. It is
formed in small amounts when its anhydride, carbon dioxide (CO2), dissolves in water.
Structure of
Carbonic Acid
Reason why carbonic acid is a weak acid

H2CO3 is a weak acid that dissociates into a proton (H+ cation) and a bicarbonate ion
(HCO3- anion). This compound only partly dissociates in aqueous solutions. Furthermore,
the conjugate base of carbonic acid, which is the bicarbonate ion, is a relatively good base.
These are the reasons why carbonic acid is classified as a weak acid rather than a strong acid.
Is carbonic acid dangerous?
Carbonic acid is not considered to be toxic or dangerous to human health since it is present
naturally in the human body. However, it is important to note that exposure to high
concentrations of H2CO3 can irritate the respiratory tract and the eyes.
How carbonic acid affects the body

Carbonic acid is important in the transport of

carbon dioxide in the blood. Carbonic is a
component of sparkling water. When its gulped
down can cause hiccups or indigestion. Some side
effects of too much H2CO3 are:
 Blood in urine
 Difficult urination
 Pain or burning while urinating
Reaction of Carbonic Acid with:
Metals
Carbonic acids do not react with metals,
why?, because ionization of carbonic
acid is a process which gives carbonates
and hydrogen ions. Even though
carbonic acid does not react with metal,
metal carbonates are considered the salts
of carbonic acid.
Non- Metals
Non metals do not react with acids of
any kind. This is due to the fact that a
substance undergoing reaction with
acids, donates electrons to the ions
produced by the acids. Non metals are
acceptors of electrons and hence they do
not donate electron to hydrogen ion of
the acid.
Minerals
Reaction of the carbonic acid with the
mineral consumes most of the and
liberates equivalent amounts of cations ()
and bicarbonate (), which react to form
the solid carbonate mineral magnesite
(Mg). Carbonic acid is especially
reactive with calcite, which is the main
mineral that makes up limestone.
Reaction of Carbonic Acid with:

Sodium Hydroxide
The carbonic acid neutralizes the sodium hydroxide to sodium
carbonate and water. If the carbon dioxide is in excess, then
when the NaOH runs out, an increase in the carbonic acid is
seen and the solution becomes acidic as indicated by the
universal indicator.
Fun Facts!
 Causes that uncomfortable
tingling sensation on your tongue
when you drink soda.
 Carbonic acid doesn't actually
exist. Molecular H2CO3 can't
exist in an aqueous solution.
None of these molecules can be
found on earth in water, but some
people do think it can be found in
interstellar space.
 It is actually a solution of CO2 in
a state of equilibrium with a little
bit of H+ and HCO3^- ions.
 A carbonic acid molecule is
assumed to look like the picture
to the right.
revision
Time!

What is carbonic acid?

Can you give two uses of
carbonic acid?
Can carbonic acid react
with alcohols?
Give one way in which
carbonic acid can affect
your body.