Question

What are the products obtained when an acid reacts with a metal carbonate?

• A. Salt and water
• B. Salt and hydrogen gas
• C. Salt, water and carbon dioxide
• D. Salt and oxygen gas

Answer 1

The correct option is C Salt, water and carbon dioxide

When an acid reacts with a metal carbonate, it produces water, carbon dioxide and salt.

$\mathrm{Acid}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+\mathrm{Metal}\mathrm{carbonate}(s)\to \mathrm{Salt}(\mathrm{aq})+\mathrm{Water}(l)+\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{dioxide}(g)$

For example:
When sulphuric acid reacts with magnesium carbonate, it produces magnesium sulphate, water and carbon dioxide.

$H_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{MgCO}}_3(s)\to {\mathrm{MgSO}}_4(\mathrm{aq})+H_{2}O(l)+{\mathrm{CO}}_2(g)$