hmmm.... my chem gave us this test with the following question:

 

will Cl2O give an acidic, basic, or neutral solution when dissolved in water? Write a reaction to justify your answer.

 

I'm guessing it will make an acidic solution because it would make HCLO, right?

What's the equation for this reaction? I'm guessing Cl2O + H2O <--> 2HClO, but is this right?

Yes, you are right. You get hypochlorous acid. This is a very weak, but strongly oxidizing acid.

This acid also is quite unstable. It slowly decomposes, giving chlorine, chloric acid and hydrochloric acid.

thanks, woelen

on this same take-home test i am asked how to calculate the pH of a solution of H2CO3 being only given the ionization constants for:

 

H2CO3 <==> H(+) + HCO3(-)

and

HCO3(-) <==> H(+) CO3(2-)

 

I don't know where to start. Can anybody give a hand? Does it involve using the ionization constant for the overal reaction:

H2CO3 <==> 2H(+) + CO3(2-)?