Carbonic acid

Carbonic acid
Carbonic Car*bon"ic, a. [Cf. F. carbonique. See {Carbon}.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, carbon; as, carbonic oxide. [1913 Webster]

{Carbonic acid} (Chem.), an acid {HO.CO.OH}, not existing separately, which, combined with positive or basic atoms or radicals, forms carbonates. In common language the term is very generally applied to a compound of carbon and oxygen, {CO2}, more correctly called {carbon dioxide}. It is a colorless, heavy, irrespirable gas, extinguishing flame, and when breathed destroys life. It can be reduced to a liquid and solid form by intense pressure. It is produced in the fermentation of liquors, and by the combustion and decomposition of organic substances, or other substances containing carbon. It is formed in the explosion of fire damp in mines, and is hence called {after damp}; it is also know as {choke damp}, and {mephitic air}. Water will absorb its own volume of it, and more than this under pressure, and in this state becomes the common soda water of the shops, and the carbonated water of natural springs. Combined with lime it constitutes limestone, or common marble and chalk. Plants imbibe it for their nutrition and growth, the carbon being retained and the oxygen given out.

{Carbonic oxide} (Chem.), a colorless gas, {CO}, of a light odor, called more correctly {carbon monoxide}. It is almost the only definitely known compound in which carbon seems to be divalent. It is a product of the incomplete combustion of carbon, and is an abundant constituent of water gas. It is fatal to animal life, extinguishes combustion, and burns with a pale blue flame, forming carbon dioxide. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • carbonic acid — ► NOUN ▪ a very weak acid formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in water …   English terms dictionary

  • carbonic acid — n. a weak, colorless acid, H2CO3, formed by the solution of carbon dioxide in water and existing only in solution …   English World dictionary

  • Carbonic acid — Not to be confused with carbolic acid, an antiquated name for phenol. Carbonic acid is also an archaic name for carbon dioxide Carbonic acid …   Wikipedia

  • carbonic acid — H2CO3, formed from H2O and CO2. * * * carbonic acid n a weak dibasic acid H2CO3 known only in solution that reacts with bases to form carbonates * * * car·bon·ic ac·id (kahr bonґik) the chemical species H2CO3, which exists in chemical equilibrium …   Medical dictionary

  • carbonic acid — Choke damp, fixed air, foul air, mephitic air, carbonic acid gas …   New dictionary of synonyms

  • carbonic-acid gas — [kär bän′ik as′id] n. CARBON DIOXIDE: also carbonic acid gas …   English World dictionary

  • carbonic acid gas — n CARBON DIOXIDE …   Medical dictionary

  • carbonic acid dissolution —    Dissolution of calcium carbonate by carbon dioxide in aqueous solution, loosely termed carbonic acid, is the dominant reaction in karst processes, including speleogenesis. The reaction can be considered in several ways but it is most simply… …   Lexicon of Cave and Karst Terminology

  • carbonic acid gas — angliarūgštė statusas T sritis chemija apibrėžtis Buitinis anglies dioksido pavadinimas. atitikmenys: angl. carbonic acid gas rus. углекислота …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • carbonic acid — noun a weak acid known only in solution; formed when carbon dioxide combines with water • Derivationally related forms: ↑carbonate • Hypernyms: ↑acid …   Useful english dictionary

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