Why does the pH of neutral water drop when it is left out in an uncovered container on a worktop for a long period of time?

This question tests your knowledge on; the properties of non-metal oxides in solution, the concept of equilibrium, pH.

Non-metal oxides such as (CO2, P4O10, SO2, etc) are acidic in solution. When left out on the worktop, some of the CO2 dissolves in the water to reach the position of equilibium as both the CO2 and H2O are present in high concentrations. As this position of equilibrium is approached, more CO2 overall has dissolved and so the neutral solution has become more acidic. This is due to the concentration of H+ increasing and by using the equation for pH it can be deduced that the pH decreases.

NG

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

In the topic of transition metals, what are the different types of ligands and what in itself, is a ligand?


Why can there be one major product and one minor product after electrophilic addition takes place across a double bond?


An unknown gas from a reaction is contained in a 2 litre beaker, at standard atmospheric pressure and a Temperature of 25 Celsius. Calculate the number of moles of the gas.


I don't understand how the first two quantum numbers fit into describing atoms.