Is CO2 gas supposed to be acidic?

[Techie333]

Doing lab write-up.........we had to test CO2 w/ PH paper.........we got neutral.......isn't it supposed to be acidic? Also what about O2 and H2?

 

[Viper GTS]

I dunno how much of a reading you're going to get on litmus paper from a gas, but CO2 in water is definitely acidic.

Viper GTS

 

[Techie333]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
I dunno how much of a reading you're going to get on litmus paper from a gas, but CO2 in water is definitely acidic.

Viper GTS

exactly, sometimes these idiot chem lab instructors don't think....

 

[Techie333]

wait not CO2 in water, how about pure gas form?

 

[MaxFusion16]

Originally posted by: Techie333
wait not CO2 in water, how about pure gas form?

there is no H in CO2 now is there, so how can it have a pH level?

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: MaxFusion16

Originally posted by: Techie333
wait not CO2 in water, how about pure gas form?

there is no H in CO2 now is there, so how can it have a pH level?

Carbonic acid is an acid with the chemical formula of H2CO3. It is the reaction product of water and carbon dioxide and exists in an equilibrium with water and carbon dioxide whenever the latter is dissolved in the former, for instance in soda water or blood. It is not possible to obtain pure carbonic acid.

 

[vtqanh]

CO2 is neutral in air, is a little bit acidic in water (just a little bit).

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: MaxFusion16

Originally posted by: Techie333
wait not CO2 in water, how about pure gas form?

there is no H in CO2 now is there, so how can it have a pH level?

Exactly. Acid, by definition needs to be in an aqueous solution, doesn't it? The H+ and OH- ions combine with the anions and cations in the solute to make an acidic or alkaline solution....
Maybe my chemistry is a bit rusty, but I didn't think you could have acid without water...

 

[Nyical]

If CO2 was acidic they wouldnt be using it in Paintball otherwise those CO2 bottles would be about usless within a year or two.

 

[DurocShark]

CO2 is neutral in gas form. It reacts with water to form carbonic acid. It can react with other substances for different results as well...

 

[Kyteland]

Originally posted by: rahvin

Originally posted by: MaxFusion16

Originally posted by: Techie333
wait not CO2 in water, how about pure gas form?

there is no H in CO2 now is there, so how can it have a pH level?

Carbonic acid is an acid with the chemical formula of H2CO3. It is the reaction product of water and carbon dioxide and exists in an equilibrium with water and carbon dioxide whenever the latter is dissolved in the former, for instance in soda water or blood. It is not possible to obtain pure carbonic acid.

This is exactly right. This is why limestone degrades so quickly in wet areas, such as forming Mamoth caves in Kentucky, but forms a weather resistant layer in more arid conditions, such as the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Limestone is very easily dissolved by acids and CO2+H2O is the most abundant acid in nature. It is not that there is any more or less CO2 in either of these areas, it is that there is more/less water.

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