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When a carbonate reacts with
an acid carbon dioxide, water and a salt are formed. This reaction is
represented by the equation below.
carbonate +
acid => water + carbon dioxide + salt
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| This reaction will be familiar
to all chefs and bakers. Baking powder (sodium carbonate) and tartaric acid
are mixed together in foods to produce carbon dioxide in the dough mixture
which results in light, fluffy bread and cakes. |
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Baking powder and vinegar produce
a spectacular reaction that results in the production of a great deal of
carbon dioxide gas. Baking powder is a carbonate and vinegar is an acid
(acetic acid) and the reaction between the two is pictured on the left. |
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The stomach produces strong
hydrochloric acid to assist in the digestion of food. Calcium carbonate
is a major component of teeth and bone. Explain why people that suffer
from frequent vomiting often have rotten teeth.
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When acids react with metals
a salt and hydrogen gas is produced. This reaction is represented by the
word equation below.
acid + metal
=> salt + hydrogen gas.
Click
to see a 120kb video of zinc metal in hydrochloric acid.
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Hydrogen gas is explosive and
produces a loud pop when ignited in a test tube.
Click
to see a 120kb video of the pop test.
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One
brand of antacid tablet lists sodium hydrogen carbonate and citric acid
as ingredients. When placed in water it fizzes.
What do you think is responsible for the fizz?
Write a simple word equation for the reaction taking place. |
Sulfuric
acid was accidentally splashed onto the metal roof of a car. The paint soon
began to blister and bubbles of gas were seen to form.
What was the gas produced? |
| Marble
statues contain calcium carbonate. Dilute hydrochloric acid was used to
clean the surface of one statue with the production of an odorless, colorless
gas. Identify this gas? |
| A
patient suffering from a build up of stomach acid was given a brand of antacid
tablet that contained sodium carbonate. The patient complained that this
brand of antacid made her stomach full and made her burp a lot. Can you
explain why? |
