Why CO2 will dissolve in water? thx

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CO2, despite being a non-polar molecule, can dissolve in water, a polar solvent, due to its nature as an acidic oxide. When CO2 interacts with water, it reacts to form carbonic acid, which contributes to the formation of salt species. The term "dissolve" should not be confused with solubility; CO2 can enter water as long as there is a partial pressure of the gas above the liquid. Although CO2 has a net dipole moment of zero, water can still interact with it through mechanisms other than dipole-dipole interactions, allowing for its dissolution in water. This discussion clarifies the complexities of gas solubility in polar solvents, challenging the "like dissolves like" principle.
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As title, CO2 is non-polar, why it can dissolve in water which is a polarized slovent?
 
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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.


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Thanks for the reply, I was confused because of the like dissolves like theory.
 

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