QuestionFebruary 2, 2026

The data in Table 2 indicates that as the concentration of carbon dioxide in the water rises: A. the pH decreases and the balance shifts toward bicarbonate instead of carbonate. B. the pH increases and the carbonate ion concentration increases. C. both the pH and the bicarbonate concentration decrease. D. the pH increases and the balance shifts toward carbonate instead of bicarbonate.

The data in Table 2 indicates that as the concentration of carbon dioxide in the water rises: A. the pH decreases and the balance shifts toward bicarbonate instead of carbonate. B. the pH increases and the carbonate ion concentration increases. C. both the pH and the bicarbonate concentration decrease. D. the pH increases and the balance shifts toward carbonate instead of bicarbonate.
The data in Table 2 indicates that as the concentration of carbon dioxide in the water rises:
A. the pH decreases and the balance shifts toward bicarbonate instead of carbonate.
B. the pH increases and the carbonate ion concentration increases.
C. both the pH and the bicarbonate concentration decrease.
D. the pH increases and the balance shifts toward carbonate instead of bicarbonate.

Solution
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Answer

A. the pH decreases and the balance shifts toward bicarbonate instead of carbonate. Explanation When carbon dioxide (CO_2) dissolves in water, it forms carbonic acid (H_2CO_3), which dissociates into hydrogen ions (H^+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO_3^-). The increase in hydrogen ions leads to a decrease in pH, making the solution more acidic. As the concentration of CO_2 rises, the equilibrium shifts to produce more bicarbonate (HCO_3^-) and less carbonate (CO_3^{2-}).

Explanation

When carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) dissolves in water, it forms carbonic acid ($H_2CO_3$), which dissociates into hydrogen ions ($H^+$) and bicarbonate ions ($HCO_3^-$). The increase in hydrogen ions leads to a decrease in pH, making the solution more acidic. As the concentration of $CO_2$ rises, the equilibrium shifts to produce more bicarbonate ($HCO_3^-$) and less carbonate ($CO_3^{2-}$).
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