Determine the chemical equation that would result when carbonate, CO3^2-, reacts with water.

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the chemical equation. The reactants are carbonate ion (CO3^2-) and water (H2O).
2. Recognize that the carbonate ion (CO3^2-) can act as a base and accept a proton (H+) from water, which acts as an acid.
3. When CO3^2- accepts a proton from H2O, it forms bicarbonate (HCO3^-), and water loses a proton to form hydroxide ion (OH^-).
4. Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction: CO3^2- (aq) + H2O (l) ⇌ HCO3^- (aq) + OH^- (aq).
5. Understand that this is an equilibrium reaction, indicated by the double arrow, meaning the reaction can proceed in both forward and reverse directions.