Carbonic acid, H2CO3, has two acidic hydrogens. A solution containing an unknown concentration of carbonic acid is titrated with potassium hydroxide. It requires 22.9 mL of 1.430 M KOH solution to titrate both acidic protons in 54.2 mL of the carbonic acid solution. Required:
a. Write a balanced net ionic equation for the neutralization reaction. Include physical states.
b. Calculate the molarity of the carbonic acid solution.

a. H₂CO₃(aq) + KOH(aq) ⇄ K₂CO₃(aq) + H₂O(l)

b. 0.603 M

Explanation:

Step 1: Write the neutralization reaction

H₂CO₃(aq) + KOH(aq) ⇄ K₂CO₃(aq) + H₂O(l)

Step 2: Calculate the reacting moles of KOH

22.9 mL of 1.430 M KOH react.

0.0229 L × (1.430 mol/L) = 0.0327 mol

Step 3: Calculate the reacting moles of H₂CO₃

The molar ratio of H₂CO₃ to KOH is 1:1. The reacting moles of H₂CO₃ are 1/1 × 0.0327 mol = 0.0327 mol.

Step 4: Calculate the molarity of H₂CO₃

0.0327 moles of H₂CO₃ are in a volume of 54.2 mL. The molarity of H₂CO₃ is:

M = 0.0327 mol/0.0542 L = 0.603 M