Which gas is produced when an acid reacts with a carbonate?

Which gas is produced when an acid reacts with a carbonate?

• A. Oxygen (O2)
• B. Nitrogen (N2)
• C. Hydrogen (H2)
• D. Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Answer: (D)

When an acid reacts with a carbonate, carbon dioxide is produced because the carbonate reacts with the acid to form carbonic acid, which quickly decomposes into carbon dioxide and water. For example, acid plus baking soda (a carbonate) gives salt, water, and bubbling CO2. This fizzing is the telltale sign of CO2 formation. Oxygen, nitrogen, or hydrogen aren’t the products of this reaction; hydrogen would come from a metal reacting with acid, while the carbonate–acid combination specifically yields carbon dioxide.

When an acid reacts with a carbonate, carbon dioxide is produced because the carbonate reacts with the acid to form carbonic acid, which quickly decomposes into carbon dioxide and water. For example, acid plus baking soda (a carbonate) gives salt, water, and bubbling CO2. This fizzing is the telltale sign of CO2 formation. Oxygen, nitrogen, or hydrogen aren’t the products of this reaction; hydrogen would come from a metal reacting with acid, while the carbonate–acid combination specifically yields carbon dioxide.