Question

What happens when an acid reacts with a metal hydrogencarbonate? Write equation of the reaction which takes place.

Answer 1

When an acid reacts with a metal carbonate (or metal hydrogencarbonate), then a salt, carbon dioxide gas and water are formed.

\[\ce{Metal carbonate + Acid -> Salt + Carbon dioxide + Water}\]

\[\ce{Metal hydrogencarbonate + Acid -> Salt + Carbon dioxide + Water}\]

Example:

When dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium carbonate, then sodium chloride, carbon dioxide and water are formed.

\[\ce{\underset{Sodium carbonate}{Na2CO3_{(s)}} + \underset{Hydrochloric acid}{2HCl_{(aq)}} -> \underset{Sodium chloride}{2NaCl_{(aq)}} + \underset{dioxide}{\underset{Carbon}{CO2_{(g)}}} + \underset{Water}{H2O_{(l)}}}\]