Final answer:
H2CO3, or carbonic acid, is an Arrhenius acid because it ionizes in aqueous solution to increase the concentration of hydronium ions (H3O+).
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, H2CO3 is indeed an Arrhenius acid. According to Arrhenius's definition, an acid is a compound that ionizes in aqueous solution to yield hydrogen ions (H+), while a base yields hydroxide ions (OH-). H2CO3, or carbonic acid, when dissolved in water, ionizes to form H+ ions and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-). The reaction can be represented as:
H₂CO₃(aq) + H₂O(l) ⇒ H3O+ (aq) + HCO₃(aq)
This shows that H2CO3 acts as an Arrhenius acid because it increases the concentration of hydronium ions (H3O+) in solution. The compound H2CO3 is stronger than its conjugate base HCO3-, the bicarbonate ion, as it more readily donates H+ ions to form H3O+ in water.