How does ethanoic acid react with carbonates?

Ethanoic acid reacts with carbonates to produce a salt, water, and carbon dioxide.

When ethanoic acid (CH3COOH) reacts with a carbonate, such as sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), a chemical reaction occurs that results in the formation of a salt, water, and carbon dioxide. This is a type of acid-base reaction, where the acid (ethanoic acid) reacts with the base (carbonate) to produce a salt and water. The carbonate also decomposes to produce carbon dioxide gas.

The general equation for this reaction is:

2CH3COOH + Na2CO3 → 2CH3COONa + H2O + CO2

In this equation, CH3COONa represents sodium ethanoate, the salt produced in the reaction. The reaction is exothermic, meaning it releases heat.

The reaction between ethanoic acid and carbonates is a common example of an acid-carbonate reaction studied in IGCSE Chemistry. It's important to understand that the products of the reaction depend on the specific carbonate used. For example, if calcium carbonate (CaCO3) was used instead of sodium carbonate, the resulting salt would be calcium ethanoate (Ca(CH3COO)2).

This reaction is also a good example of a gas-forming reaction. The carbon dioxide gas produced can be observed as bubbles or fizzing in the solution, providing a visual indication that the reaction has occurred. This can be useful in practical chemistry experiments to confirm the presence of a carbonate or an acid.

In summary, the reaction of ethanoic acid with carbonates is a fundamental acid-base reaction resulting in the formation of a salt, water, and carbon dioxide gas. It's an important concept in IGCSE Chemistry, demonstrating key principles of chemical reactions.