What happens to carbonate ions when they react with a dilute acid?

When carbonate ions react with a dilute acid, they undergo a chemical reaction that effectively releases carbon dioxide gas. This reaction can be generally represented as follows:

[ \text{Carbonate ion (CO}_3^{2-}) + \text{Acid (H}^+) \rightarrow \text{Carbon dioxide (CO}_2) + \text{Water (H}_2\text{O}) + \text{Salt} ]

This process is a classic acid-carbonate reaction, where the acid donates protons (H+) to the carbonate, leading to the formation of carbon dioxide, which can be observed as gas bubbles. The other products of the reaction include water and a salt derived from the specific acid used.

This reaction clearly shows how carbonate ions interact with acids, producing carbon dioxide as one of the significant byproducts. The presence of carbon dioxide is what often is observed in laboratory settings, such as when testing for carbonates. The understanding of this fundamental reaction is crucial for chemistry students, especially when exploring reactions of acids and bases.