Anyone know what carbonic acid is? Just sharing this time in
the article below will discuss about carbonic acid. Carbonic acid is a weak
acid compound. For more details, let us consider the following description.
Carbonic acid is an organic acid with the chemical formula H2CO3.
Carbonic acid, including weak acids. When carbon dioxide (CO2)
dissolves in water (H2O) it will produce carbonic acid.
CO2 + H2O H2CO3.
H2CO3 is a carbonic acid (carbonic
acid compound) that is useful for regulating the pH (acidity level) in the
blood. The blood itself is a buffer (a solution that can maintain pH) with its
weak acid in the form of ionized H2CO3 in water to form H
+ ions and its conjugate base in the form of bicarbonate ions (HCO3-.).
A base is a chemical compound that accepts hydrogen ions.
For example, the bicarbonate ion HCO3-, is a base because it can
accept H + ions to form carbonic acid (H2CO3). In short
the body uses a buffer of pH (buffer) in the blood as a protector against
changes that occur suddenly in the pH of the blood. If we consume food or
drinks that contain H2CO3 (carbonic acid) which affects
the acidity in the blood becomes more acidic than it should be so that the pH
in the blood decreases. This situation is called acidosis.
The effect of this is that breathing becomes deeper and
faster because the body tries to reduce excess acid in the blood by lowering
carbon dioxide. It is certain when we breathe breathlessly. Besides the kidneys
are also trying hard to neutralize the situation by removing more acid in the
urine. But if the body continues to consume H2CO3 in
excessive amounts, the kidneys will not be able to work again so that severe
acidosis will occur.
If it continues then the sufferer will feel extreme fatigue,
drowsiness, nausea and confusion. If acidosis is not handled properly then
blood pressure will decrease, shock, coma and even cause death.
Although carbonic acid is acidic, it is also widely used in
carbonated drinks as we find it in various types of soft drinks. The resulting
acid effect can occur if it takes place at high acid concentrations resulting
in a low pH solution condition. Because carbonic acid is a weak acid, the pH of
the solution will not occur very low either. At low concentrations, the acidic
effect can occur if it is in constant contact. This can occur as in the case of
people who often consume soft drinks, there will be the effects of tooth decay
or stomach irritation.