What is Happening to Carbon Dioxide in the Oceans?

NGSS Phenomena: An animation showing the level of salt in the water over time. From 2012 until 2014, the salinity visibly increases.



The oceans are one of the largest stores of Carbon Dioxide in the world. When Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the air combines with water (H2O) it forms carbonic acid (H2CO3). Figure 1 shows the chemical reaction of water and carbon dioxide to create carbonic acid.




1. A reactant in this chemical reaction is .
  • h20
  • Water
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Carbondioxide
  • Co2
  • c02

2. A product in this chemical reaction is .

3. How many molecules are reactants?

4. How many atoms should we expect to find in the product of this reaction?

5. Draw a model in the space below to show what the reactants look like before they become carbonic acid.

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Width

6. Explain what atoms and molecules are shown in your diagram.

7. One of your classmates makes the following statement after reading about this reaction:

“The oxygen atoms that make up water are heavier than the oxygen atoms that make up carbon dioxide. This explains why carbon dioxide floats around in the air and water is most often found in a liquid.”

Evaluate their statement using what you’ve learned in class.

8. Draw a model in the space below to show how water and carbon dioxide combine to produce carbonic acid.

Color

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9. Explain how your model demonstrates that mass is conserved during a chemical reaction.

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This free response question aligns to the following standards

  • PS1.B: Chemical Reactions

  • Energy and Matter: Flows, Cycles, and Conservation

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This drawing question aligns to the following standards

  • PS1.B: Chemical Reactions

  • Developing and Using Models

  • Energy and Matter: Flows, Cycles, and Conservation

  • MS-PS1-5

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  • Energy and Matter: Flows, Cycles, and Conservation

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