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Chemistry Forums for Students => Inorganic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: sciencenoob85 on December 21, 2015, 09:46:48 AM

Title: Decomposition: Potassium Hydrogencarbonate + Hydrochloric Acid
Post by: sciencenoob85 on December 21, 2015, 09:46:48 AM

Hi,

So I am new to the whole chemistry thing, loving it...

I have recently been set an Assignment at college for the decomposition of Potassium Hydrogencarbonate using Hess' law.

Now..

What I'm struggling to find is any information on why you are unable to observe the decomposition directly. I also understand that this compound is also referred to as Potassium Bicarbonate but still nothing on what happens when they're mixed with Hydrochloric Acid.

If someone is able to give me any info on what happens would be much appreciated but would love some reading material on this subject.

Thanks in advance for anything that people are able to help with.

Title: Re: Decomposition: Potassium Hydrogencarbonate + Hydrochloric Acid
Post by: Borek on December 21, 2015, 10:44:22 AM

Reaction of the potassium bicarbonate with hydrochloric acid is not a decomposition. If forced I would classify it as a metathesis (double replacement) reaction (although I prefer to not classify it at all).

Title: Re: Decomposition: Potassium Hydrogencarbonate + Hydrochloric Acid
Post by: sciencenoob85 on December 21, 2015, 01:26:16 PM

Thank you Borek

To get a better understanding of this

Do you know of any decent reading material?

Title: Re: Decomposition: Potassium Hydrogencarbonate + Hydrochloric Acid
Post by: Borek on December 21, 2015, 03:41:29 PM

I would say any general chemistry textbook with an inorganic section (quite common approach to combine these things) should contain everything you need.

Title: Re: Decomposition: Potassium Hydrogencarbonate + Hydrochloric Acid
Post by: sciencenoob85 on December 21, 2015, 05:21:34 PM

Cheers Dude/Dudett