Why CO2 will dissolve in water? thx

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Carbon dioxide (CO2) can dissolve in water despite being a non-polar molecule due to its nature as an acidic oxide, which reacts with water to form bicarbonate and carbonate ions. The concept of "dissolving" differs from solubility; CO2 can enter the water as long as its partial pressure above the liquid is maintained. Although CO2 has a net dipole moment of zero, water molecules can still interact with it through mechanisms other than dipole-dipole interactions, allowing for its dissolution in the polar solvent.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of acid-base chemistry, specifically acidic oxides
  • Knowledge of gas solubility principles and partial pressure
  • Familiarity with molecular polarity and dipole moments
  • Basic concepts of ionic species formation in aqueous solutions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the reaction of CO2 with water to form bicarbonate and carbonate ions
  • Study the principles of gas solubility and Henry's Law
  • Explore molecular interactions beyond dipole-dipole, such as hydrogen bonding
  • Investigate the implications of CO2 dissolution in environmental chemistry
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, environmental scientists, and anyone interested in the behavior of gases in aqueous solutions.

itsmine
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
As title, CO2 is non-polar, why it can dissolve in water which is a polarized slovent?
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
For one CO2 is an acidic oxide, it reacts with water to produce a salt species. Also, "dissolve" is not equated with solubility. As long as a gas, such as CO2, has a partial pressure above water, it will run into the surface of the liquid (such as water) and in a sense dissolve. CO2 has a net dipole moment of zero, however water can still be attracted to it through other means than dipole-dipole interactions.


-------
Help with chemistry
http://groups.msn.com/GeneralChemistryHomework
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks for the reply, I was confused because of the like dissolves like theory.
 

Similar threads

Dissolving caffeine in room temperature water
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Solubility of Non polar substances in water
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Fractals/Dendrites and the Dissolving of Phenoxyethanol in Water
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Can Seiryu Stone Affect Water Parameters in Aquariums?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Dissolving Particles in Oil (but Water resistant)
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Extracting carbohydrates from food dissolved in hydrochloric acid
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
How to make Sodium Chlorate by Electrolysis of salt water?
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
How many ppm of O2 does H2O2 add to water?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Potassium alum: how to prevent recrystallization in water?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Can vinegar effectively remove residual oils from surfaces and objects?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
6K