carbonic acid
Noun
Meaning
a weak acid known only in solution; formed when carbon dioxide combines with water
Source: WordNetSynonyms
Hypernyms
Examples
A 2016 theoretical report suggests that carbonic acid may have pivotal role in protonating various nitrogen bases in blood serum.
Addition of base to an excess of carbonic acid gives bicarbonate (hydrogen carbonate).
Care must be taken when quoting and using the first dissociation constant of carbonic acid.
Hence, the majority of the carbon dioxide is not converted into carbonic acid, but remains as CO 2 molecules, not affecting the pH.
In a similar manner, the weak unstable carbonic acid (H 2 CO 3 ) can lose one proton to form bicarbonate anion (HCO 3 − ) and lose a second to form carbonate anion (CO 3 2− ).
In solution this equilibrium between carbonate, bicarbonate, carbon dioxide and carbonic acid changes consonant to changing temperature and pressure conditions.