Chapter 3: Problem 7

Increasing the carbon dioxide concentration of water will have what effect on its pH?

Short Answer

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Answer: Increasing the CO2 concentration in water will result in a higher concentration of H+ ions, which leads to increased acidity and therefore a lower pH value.

Step by step solution

Understanding the pH scale

pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. On the pH scale, lower values denote greater acidity, while higher values indicate greater alkalinity. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Acidic solutions have a pH below 7, while alkaline solutions have a pH above 7.

The relationship between CO2 and pH

When CO2 dissolves in water, it forms carbonic acid (H2CO3), which can further dissociate into bicarbonate (HCO3-) and hydrogen (H+) ions. The presence of H+ ions in a solution directly affects the acidity of the solution. The more H+ ions there are, the more acidic the solution, and the lower its pH.

Analyzing the effect of increased CO2 concentration on pH

When we increase the CO2 concentration in water, more CO2 dissolves, which in turn forms more carbonic acid (H2CO3). This then increases the amount of H+ ions in the solution due to the dissociation of H2CO3 into HCO3- and H+ ions.

Concluding the effect of increased CO2 concentration on pH

Increasing the CO2 concentration in water will result in a higher concentration of H+ ions, which leads to increased acidity and therefore a lower pH value.

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Increasing the carbon dioxide concentration of water will have what effect on its pH?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding the pH scale

The relationship between CO2 and pH

Analyzing the effect of increased CO2 concentration on pH

Concluding the effect of increased CO2 concentration on pH

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