Sodium bicarbonate (Na+HCO3- ) is mildly alkaline and it reacts withacids: H+ + HCO3- =H2CO3 (carbonic acid) which is unstable inwater and breaks down into water & Carbon Dioxide : H2CO3(aq) --> H2O(l) + CO2 (g) . Inan open container at atmospheric pressure, the CO2 escapes, so thereaction is irreversible. Alka Seltzer must contain some mildacid in solid form, maybe acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). When placed in water, the acid and bicarbonate react and fizz(CO2). Bicarbonate is useful in antacids for the same reason- stomach acid (HCl) reacts with the bicarbonate producing waterand carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide leaves (burp!) andonly water remains where there once was a strong acid. Solution Sodium bicarbonate (Na+HCO3- ) is mildly alkaline and it reacts withacids: H+ + HCO3- =H2CO3 (carbonic acid) which is unstable inwater and breaks down into water & Carbon Dioxide : H2CO3(aq) --> H2O(l) + CO2 (g) . Inan open container at atmospheric pressure, the CO2 escapes, so thereaction is irreversible. Alka Seltzer must contain some mildacid in solid form, maybe acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). When placed in water, the acid and bicarbonate react and fizz(CO2). Bicarbonate is useful in antacids for the same reason- stomach acid (HCl) reacts with the bicarbonate producing waterand carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide leaves (burp!) andonly water remains where there once was a strong acid..

1. Sodium bicarbonate (Na+HCO3- ) is mildly alkaline and it reacts withacids: H+ +
HCO3- =H2CO3 (carbonic acid) which is unstable inwater and breaks down into water &
Carbon Dioxide : H2CO3(aq) --> H2O(l) + CO2 (g) . Inan open container at atmospheric
pressure, the CO2 escapes, so thereaction is irreversible. Alka Seltzer must contain some
mildacid in solid form, maybe acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). When placed in water, the acid and
bicarbonate react and fizz(CO2). Bicarbonate is useful in antacids for the same reason- stomach
acid (HCl) reacts with the bicarbonate producing waterand carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide
leaves (burp!) andonly water remains where there once was a strong acid.
Solution
Sodium bicarbonate (Na+HCO3- ) is mildly alkaline and it reacts withacids: H+ +
HCO3- =H2CO3 (carbonic acid) which is unstable inwater and breaks down into water &
Carbon Dioxide : H2CO3(aq) --> H2O(l) + CO2 (g) . Inan open container at atmospheric
pressure, the CO2 escapes, so thereaction is irreversible. Alka Seltzer must contain some
mildacid in solid form, maybe acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). When placed in water, the acid and
bicarbonate react and fizz(CO2). Bicarbonate is useful in antacids for the same reason- stomach
acid (HCl) reacts with the bicarbonate producing waterand carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide
leaves (burp!) andonly water remains where there once was a strong acid.