When magnesium carbonate, MgCO2, reacts with nitric acid, HNO3, magnesium nitrate and carbonic acid form. Carbonic acid then breaks down into water and carbon dioxide. What two types of reactions take place in this process?

Question

thomaster · Answer

MgCO3 (aq) + 2 HNO3 (aq) --> Mg(NO3)2 (aq) + H2CO3 (aq)
H2CO3 (aq) <--> CO2 (g) + H2O (l)

First one is a double displacement reaction as 2 components shift places. (CO3 and NO3)
Second one is an equilibrium.