Answer to Question #300378 in Math for dylan

Question

5.  Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a naturally occurring atmospheric gas, the concentration of which is being increased by the burning of fossil fuels by energy intensive economies.  CO₂ dissolves in water (H₂O) to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), in simplistic terms,

CO₂ + H₂O Û H₂CO₃                                                                                                     (1)

The Û symbol indicates that a balance, or equilibrium, exists between all these chemicals.  If we increase the atmospheric partial pressure (i.e. the concentration) of the gas CO₂ then we can expect an increase in the concentration of H₂CO₃ dissolved in water exposed to the atmosphere.  Where natural waters are at equilibrium with the present-day partial pressure of CO₂ in the atmosphere, then the carbonic acid concentration is given by

[H₂CO₃] = 1.2×10^-5 mol ^-1                                                                                             (2)