Carbon Dioxide Equilibrium
When solutions are in equilibrium with carbon dioxide, its solubility and thus its
concentration is determined by Henry's law. If the partial pressure of CO2 is higher, so
must be its solubility. The plot of logarithm of concentrations versus pH for the
various carbonate species will have a constant horizontal line for CO2 (as its
equivalent H2CO3). The concentrations of other species will change with pH as shown in
the figure.
When the pH changes, carbon dioxide dissolves or escapes to form
or dissipate the bicarbonate and carbonate
needed to satisfy their equilibria. Remember this is an equilibrium diagram, and that
the curves shown are for after the reactions are completed.
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