Question

What happens when ${\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$ is dissolved in water?
A. Carboxylic acid is formed
B. Carbonic acid is formed
C. Depends on the concentration of ${\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$
D. Cannot be determined

Answer 1

Hint: Carbonated water has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure which adds bubbles. The bubble comes out when the pressurised Carbon dioxide gas molecules are released

Complete answer:
> When we compress carbon dioxide in water at high pressure, Carbon dioxide gets dissolved in the liquid. And when the applied pressure is released, carbon dioxide gets released from the liquid in the form of gas bubbles.
> And this process is also known as carbonation and it is most popularly used in making beverages
Carbonation is a process where carbon dioxide is dissolved in a water solution under pressure and results in the formation of carbonic acid which is a weak acid
${{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O + C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}\xrightarrow{{{\text{High pressure}}}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}$
> The effervescence observed while opening the bottle with a fizzing sound is the escape of gas that was pressured to be in aqueous form. The process of carbonation gives the drink a unique taste. It is possible to measure carbonation by Henry’s Law and temperature.
> According to Henry’s Law, at constant temperature, the amount of gas that dissolves in a given type and volume of liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas in equilibrium with that liquid. About ${\text{20% }}$ composition of soft drink is constituted of carbonated water and thus the bubbles created clearly shows that it is a carbonated water and there is a chemical reaction occurring in the drink.

So, the correct answer is Option B.

Additional information:
> Carbonated water makes the \[{\text{pH}}\] of about ${\text{3 to 4}}$ which is slightly acidic
Some carbonated water usually contains added salt and sometimes a small amount of other minerals are also included.
> Tonic water is a form of carbonated water which contains a bitter compound called quinine, along with sugar or high fructose corn syrup. Carbonated water helps in relieving stomach ache, it helps to relieve constipation. Sparkling water is also a carbonated drink which can make you feel full longer than plain water because it helps food remain in the first part of the stomach for longer which can trigger the sensation of fullness and also helps to relieve chronic constipation.

Note: Carbonated water activates lingual nociceptors via conversion of Carbon dioxide to carbonic acid. The nociceptors in turn excite trigeminal neurons involved in signalling oral irritation which may be enjoyable.