Question

Which ions does Na₂CO₃(aq) dissociate into?

A. Na⁺ and CO₃²⁻
B. Na⁺ and CO₂
C. Na⁺ and C⁴⁻
D. Na₂ and CO₃

Answer 1

Na2CO3(aq) dissociates into Na+ and CO32− ions when dissolved in water.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ions Na2CO3(aq) dissociates into are Na+ and CO32−. When sodium carbonate dissolves in water, it separates into two sodium ions (Na+) and one carbonate ion (CO32−). This is because Na2CO3 is an ionic compound consisting of two positively charged sodium ions and one negatively charged carbonate ion.

An example to better visualize this dissociation is the reaction of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with carbon dioxide (CO2) to form sodium carbonate (Na2CO3):

CO2(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na2CO3(aq) + H2O(l)

In an aqueous solution, Na2CO3 then separates into its component ions: Na+ and CO32−.