Chemistry A-Level
carbonic acid and hydrogencarbonate
What carbonic acid and hydrogencarbonate means in Chemistry A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definition of carbonic acid and hydrogencarbonate
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Reference: AQA
The pair H₂CO₃ ⇌ H⁺ + HCO₃⁻ holds blood plasma in its narrow pH range, and HCO₃⁻ absorbs lactic acid produced during exercise.
Topics that use carbonic acid and hydrogencarbonate
- Buffer action (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- acidic buffer
- basic buffer
- blood plasma buffering
- buffer pH calculation
- cosmetic and food buffers
- named species in buffer action
- partial neutralisation
- ratio controls pH
Using carbonic acid and hydrogencarbonate in the exam
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