Answer to Question #138747 in Physical Chemistry for Emily

Question

Would sodium hydrogen carbonate be suitable for neutralizing a lake? Support your decision with one or more reasons?

Answer 1

Solution.

Sodium bicarbonate has the properties of an ampholite. This means that it can give and receive protons of hydrogen.

$HCO3^- = H^+ + CO3^{2-}$

$HCO3^- + H^+ = CO2 + H2O$

To neutralize the reservoir, it is necessary that sodium bicarbonate takes protons from the external environment.

$HCO3^- + H^+ = H2O + CO2$

Answer:

To neutralize the reservoir, it is necessary that sodium bicarbonate takes protons from the external environment.

$HCO3^- + H^+ = H2O + CO2$