Which of the following most likely represents the process of dissolving carbon dioxide in soda?

• A. CO_2(g) → CO_2(aq)
• B. CO_2(aq) → CO_2(g)
• C. CO_2(g) → CO_2(s)
• D. CO_2(s) → CO_2(aq)

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the physical states involved in the process of dissolving carbon dioxide in soda. Carbon dioxide initially is in the gaseous state (g) above the liquid soda.
2. Recognize that dissolving a gas in a liquid means the gas molecules move from the gas phase into the aqueous phase (dissolved in water), which is denoted as (aq).
3. Analyze each option to see which correctly shows carbon dioxide going from gas (g) to aqueous (aq) form, representing the dissolution process.
4. Eliminate options where carbon dioxide changes from aqueous to gas, or from gas to solid, or from solid to aqueous, as these do not represent the typical dissolving process in soda.
5. Conclude that the correct representation of dissolving carbon dioxide in soda is the process where carbon dioxide gas becomes dissolved in the liquid, written as \(CO\_2(g) \rightarrow CO\_2(aq)\).