Re: [APD] Question buffers

[Jerry Baker <jerry at bakerweb_biz>]

Robert T. Ricketts wrote:
> "CaCO3 forms Ca(HCO3)2 in water at pH less than 10.25 . (Two bicarbonates
> are formed from each carbonate ion): ..."
> 
> The first statement above is true, the parenthetic comment is absolutely
> untrue, one CO3-- cannot by the addition of a couple of hydrogen ions form 2
> each HCO3-.  Creation of another carbon and three more oxygens is not simple
> chemistry.  The equation given below that comment is correct however - the
> parenthetic comment must have been a mental hiccup and should have been
> edited out, especially when it is followed by correct info in the equation.
> Or it could be made to read as "...when combined with water and CO2" if a
> text form of the equation was felt to be needed for calarity to those
> unfamiliar with chemical equations.

I think that parenthetical statement can be interpreted in more than one 
way. You are reading it as, "two bicarbonate ions are created using only 
the building blocks supplied from a single carbonate ion." I think it 
was meant to be read as, "Where we begin with one carbonate ion, we end 
up with two bicarbonate ions."

However, as long as we're at it, the article's equation has an H20 
(H2-zero) instead of H2O.

-- 
Jerry Baker
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