Why does carbon dioxide make water more acidic when it dissolves?

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Why does carbon dioxide make water more acidic when it dissolves?

2007-01-13 10:55:32 · 3 answers · asked by raven12490 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology

3 answers

Carbon dioxide reacts with the water to make carbonic acid H2CO3. This makes the pH of water slightly acidic.

2007-01-13 11:01:27 · answer #1 · answered by Ms. K. 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋

Carbon dioxide reacts with water to form carbonic acid. Carbonic acid then dissociates to yield H+ that contributes to the acidity of water. Here are the equations involved:
CO2 + H2O ---> H2CO3
H2CO3 ---> H+ + HCO3-

2007-01-13 22:50:21 · answer #2 · answered by naja 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋

It combines with water to form carbonic acid

2007-01-13 18:58:23 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋