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Carbon dioxide is acidic in the body because its combination with water results in formation of free hydrogen ions.

a. True
b. False

User Dzendras
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1 Answer

6 votes

Answer:

a. True

Step-by-step explanation:

When carbon dioxide (CO2) is combined with water, it enter a so called equilibrium which results in the formation of free hydrogen ions (H+). The equilibrium equation is the following CO2 + H2O←→ HCO3- + H+.

The acidity in the body is measured by pH, which is calculated using the concentration of free hydrogen ions (H+). The higher the concentration of the latter, the more acidic the compound is.

In the case of carbon dioxide (CO2), the concentration of free hydrogen ions (H+) increases due to this equilibrium, therefore carbon dioxide is acidic in the body.

User Ivan Castellanos
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