Carbon dioxide dissolves in water to form

Options

A. sulphuric acid
B. hydrochloric acid
C. carbonic acid
D. carbon monoxide

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Reactants**: The question asks about the reaction between carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O).

2. **Identifying the Reaction**: When carbon dioxide dissolves in water, it undergoes a chemical reaction. The equation for this reaction can be written as:
\[ \text{CO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{CO}_3 \]
Here, H₂CO₃ is carbonic acid.

3. **Balancing the Equation**: We need to check if the equation is balanced:
- On the left side, we have:
- 1 Carbon (C)
- 2 Hydrogens (H)
- 3 Oxygens (O) (2 from CO₂ and 1 from H₂O)
- On the right side, in H₂CO₃, we have:
- 1 Carbon (C)
- 2 Hydrogens (H)
- 3 Oxygens (O)
Since the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides, the equation is balanced.

4. **Identifying the Product**: The product formed from this reaction is carbonic acid (H₂CO₃).

5. **Classifying the Reaction**: This type of reaction, where two reactants combine to form a single product, is called a synthesis reaction.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the answer to the question is that carbon dioxide dissolves in water to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃).

**Final Answer**: Carbon dioxide dissolves in water to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃).

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