Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Vicstar on July 28, 2007, 08:06:08 AM

Title: carbon dioxide absorption by solids and aqueous solutions
Post by: Vicstar on July 28, 2007, 08:06:08 AM

What dictates carbon dioxide gas absorption throughout solids and aqueous solutions?

Given the following substances, KOH(s), SiO₂(s) ,HCl(aq) and (NaF), which one absorbs CO₂(g0 most effectively?

I would have thought it would be the HCl(aq) becuase the CO₂(g) aborption would be promoted by all the free H₃O⁺(aq) ions to form hydrogen carbonate and then bicarbonate. But this is not the case.

The answer is KOH(s) but why? and by what means does it make it more efficient than the HCl(aq). I mean, its a solid after all. Has it got something to do with the -OH bonds? What am I missing?

Title: Re: carbon dioxide absorption by solids and aqueous solutions
Post by: Sam (NG) on July 28, 2007, 08:17:10 AM

This may help: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soda_lime (steps 1 & 2, substituting KOH for NaOH).