Free interactive chemistry · SIM-ACID-003
Carbonate + acid gas evolution
An acid reacts with a carbonate and fizzes out carbon dioxide.
Open the interactive simulation →How to use this simulation
- The Reaction Lab opens with sodium carbonate and acid. Press play.
- Watch the CO₂ bubbles and read the equation in “Analysis”.
- Follow the steps in the “Timeline”.
What to notice
- H⁺ turns CO₃²⁻ into H₂CO₃, which splits into water and CO₂.
- This fizz is the standard test for a carbonate.
Try this
How would you prove the gas is CO₂? (Hint: lime water.)
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