Carbonic acid (H2CO3) is a solution of carbon dioxide in water. Molecules of carbonic acid are not stable. The mixture of carbon dioxide and water ionizes stepwise:
https://gyazo.com/bd7f8ec4e3eb43d729e80e8ae4bec832

Use the equations to explain the process of dynamic equilibrium and the equilibrium constant. According to LeChatelier’s Principle, what do you think would happen if after beginning the reaction with carbon dioxide and water, more carbon dioxide molecules were added to the system?

Question

Carbonic acid (H2CO3) is a solution of carbon dioxide in water. Molecules of carbonic acid are not stable. The mixture of carbon dioxide and water ionizes stepwise:
https://gyazo.com/bd7f8ec4e3eb43d729e80e8ae4bec832

Use the equations to explain the process of dynamic equilibrium and the equilibrium constant. According to LeChatelier’s Principle, what do you think would happen if after beginning the reaction with carbon dioxide and water, more carbon dioxide molecules were added to the system?

aaronq · Answer

If the concentration of dissolved $CO_2$ increases, some of it will be converted to carbonic acid, more carbonic acid will ionize and the $[H^+]$ will go up, in turn the pH will go down.