Question

What is observed when dilute sulphuric acid is added to solid sodium carbonate?

Answer 1

Reaction of acids with metal carbonates

• An acid reacts with metal carbonate to give salt, water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$, and carbon dioxide $\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)$ as the product.
• Brisk effervescence is observed, confirming the released gas to be carbon dioxide.

Chemical Reaction

• Sodium carbonate $\left({\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3\right)$ reacts with an acid, i.e., sulphuric acid $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$ to give salt along with carbon dioxide and water.
• Brisk effervescence is observed, indicating the presence of carbon dioxide gas.
• The reaction is as follows,

${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to {\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)$