Carbonic Acid is a weak acid, that forms two kinds of salts, the carbonates and the bicarbonates. It can be found as a white small crystal or monoclinic powder. The acid is odourless and tastes like Alkaline. Carbonic Acid is stable at ordinary temperatures and atmospheric condition, dries out somewhat in warm, dry air.
The acid only exists in solution.
Mechanism
Carbonic Acid may loose protons to form bicarbonate and carbonate. In this case the proton is liberated to the water, decreasing pH.
Carbonic Acid does not dissociate fully into it's solution.
Common Uses
Carbonic Acid is in all of us, in our blood and in our urine and it helps us breathe. Carbon dioxide reacts with water in our blood to create carbonic acid. Carbonic Acid works in the lungs by carbon dioxide going into the blood then into the tissues. When carbon dioxide enters the blood it combines with water to form Carbonic Acid, which then dissociates into hydrogen and bicarbonate. carbonic acid in blood during respiration works because when the blood is transported to the lungs to be eliminated as waste, the carbon dioxide dissolves in water and diffuses into red blood cells. The reaction with water creates Carbonic Acid.
Carbonic Acid helps with the creation of natural caves. Due to carbon dioxide in the soil, rainwater filters through the soils and creates a reaction resulting in carbonic acid. When the now acid water reaches the base of the soil, it reacts with calcite in the limestone and adds it to the solution. The water solution then continues downward and over time causes erosion that ultimately forms natural caves.
Carbonic Acid is commonly used in the manufacturing of soft drinks, inexpensive and carbonated sparkling wines and bubbly drinks. Carbonic Acid is good for this because it creates a chemical reaction and ultimately dissolves in water. Carbonic Acid is perfect for this because in a sealed container the acid breaks hydrogen and bicarbonate so once the beverage is opened, the hydrogen and bicarbonate recombine and forms Carbonic Acid which will then decompose into the water. This is the chemical reaction that causes soft drinks to become frizzy after opening them.
Carbonic Acid is most commonly used in carbonated beverages. CO2 get pumped into the can which forces the carbon dioxide to dissolve into the liquid, creating carbonic acid (H2CO3) and giving pop its sweet flavour. This is why flat soda tastes strange (no carbonic acid.) Opening the can causes some of the carbon dioxide molecules break out of their carbonic chain gang and bubble up to freedom, causing it to fizz.