Effect of CO2 absorption on the pH of water Water absorbs CO

Effect of CO_2 absorption on the pH of water. Water absorbs CO_2 with a maximum concentration of 1.45 g/L. If neutral water (pH = 7) is left for long periods of time exposed to air it will absorb CO_2 from the air and become increasingly acidic, although the absorption rate is slow. The reaction responsible for the increase in acidity of water is the following: CO_2 + H_2O H^+ + HCO_3^-. Calculate the pH of initially neutral water after it has absorbed 1.45 g of CO_2 per liter.

Solution

neutral water PH=7

ph = -log[H₃O⁺] = - log [co₂] = - log [1.42] = - o.152