Question

Is CO₂ Acidic or Basic?

Answer 1

Bases are ionic compounds that produce negative hydroxide (OH-) ions when dissolved in water.

• A "strong base" is a compound that has the ability to remove a proton from a very weak acid.
• They completely dissociate into its ions when in water.
• The strong bases are known as Alkali.
• pH value of bases are more 7.

Acids: An acid is a hydrogen-containing substance capable of donating a proton (hydrogen ion) to another substance.

• Acidic substances are usually recognized by their sour taste.
• It can turn blue litmus paper red.
• The pH value of acids are less than 7.

Carbon dioxide(CO₂): Carbon dioxide is a chemical element that can be found in the atmosphere.

• It is found in the gaseous state at room temperature.
• It contains one atom of carbon and two atoms of oxygen.
• 
• CO₂ itself is not an acid, because it does not contain hydrogen ions (H⁺), but when dissolved in water, it becomes carbonic acid.
• Some carbon dioxide dissolves in water to form carbonic acid which acidifies the solution.
• Carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) is a weak, H⁺-splitting acid.