Answer:
Explanation:
H₂CO₃ is an oxyacid, which is the general name for the acids that contain oxygen, i.e. the chemical formula for an oxyacid contains hydrogen, a nonmetal, and oxygen: HₐXₓOₙ.
When an oxyacid ionizes it forms protons (H⁻) and oxyanions.
When H₂CO₃(aq) inonizes completely it does it according the equation:
Meaning that it inoizes into two H⁺ cations and one CO₃²⁻ anion. The latter is the oxyanion.
Cations are positive ions. Anions are negative ions.
The name of H₂CO₃ is carbonic acid. From that you must know that the name of the oxyanion CO₃²⁻ is carbonate: the root ic from the acid changes to ate in the anion.
Summarizing:
Additionally, you must know that when only one proton (instead of two) is released from the acid you form the ion HCO₃⁻ which is named bicarbonate or hydrogen carbonate.
