Properties of Carbonic Acid
Carbonic acid has a variety of properties which are classified into physical and chemical properties. The physical and chemical properties of carbonic acid are described below:
Physical Properties of Carbonic Acid
- State: Carbonic Acid generally occurs as a solution, but according to recent research it was found that Carbonic acid is also being prepared in a solid state by NASA scientists.
- Odor: Carbonic Acid are generally odorless.
- pKa value: The pKa value of Carbonic acid is 6.35. The pKa value is inversely proportional to the acidity of the compound. Hence, carbonic acid is termed under weak acid.
- Boiling Point: The boiling point of carbonic acid is around 127° Celsius.
- Melting Point: The melting point of carbonic acid is around -53° Celsius.
- Density: Carbonic acid has a density of around 1.668 grams per cubic centimeter.
- Molecular weight: The molecular weight of Carbonic acid is 62.024 g/mol.
- Conjugate base: The conjugate bases of Carbonic acid are bicarbonate and carbonate.
Chemical Properties of Carbonic Acid
- Stability: Carbonic acids are unstable under normal circumstances. However, they can be stabilized under high pressure and high temperatures.
- pH: Being a weak acidic, carbonic acid has a pH value of around 4.68
- Diprotic acid: It is a diprotic acid, i.e. it can form two types of salts namely carbonate and bicarbonate.
- Dissociation reaction: In the presence of water, Carbonic acid can partially dissociate into bicarbonate ions (HCO3–) and hydrogen ions (H+).
- Reaction with base: Carbonic acids form bicarbonate salt when reacted with a moderate amount of base and it form carbonate salts if reacted with excess amount of base.
- Decomposition reaction: Carbonic acid can easily decompose into carbon dioxide and water. However, this reaction is reversible under suitable conditions.
Carbonic Acid (H2CO3)
Carbonic Acid is an inorganic, weak, and unstable acid. The molecule of Carbonic Acid consists of one carbon atom, two hydrogen atoms, and three oxygen atoms. Carbonic Acid is also referred to as a respiratory acid as it is the only acid that is exhaled in the gaseous state by human lungs.
Carbonic acid is studied majorly in various fields of science because of its vast applications and uses. It helps improve marine life due to its natural process of ocean acidification. It is essential for the human body as well. Further in this article, we will learn more about carbonic acids, their structure, their properties, and their uses.
Table of Content
- What is Carbonic Acid?
- Formula of Carbonic Acid
- Structure of Carbonic Acid
- Preparation of Carbonic Acid
- Properties of Carbonic Acid