What happens when an acidic aqueous solution is added to sodium bicarbonate?

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Multiple Choice

What happens when an acidic aqueous solution is added to sodium bicarbonate?

Explanation:
When an acidic solution is added to sodium bicarbonate, the hydrogen ions from the acid react with the bicarbonate to form carbonic acid. Carbonic acid quickly decomposes into water and carbon dioxide, which escapes as a gas. The visible fizzing is the gas evolving from the solution, showing a chemical change rather than a simple physical change. A typical equation, for example with hydrochloric acid, is NaHCO3 + HCl → NaCl + H2O + CO2.

When an acidic solution is added to sodium bicarbonate, the hydrogen ions from the acid react with the bicarbonate to form carbonic acid. Carbonic acid quickly decomposes into water and carbon dioxide, which escapes as a gas. The visible fizzing is the gas evolving from the solution, showing a chemical change rather than a simple physical change. A typical equation, for example with hydrochloric acid, is NaHCO3 + HCl → NaCl + H2O + CO2.

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