carbonic acid

noun

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of carbonic acid

: a weak dibasic acid H₂CO₃ known only in solution that reacts with bases to form carbonates

Recent Examples of carbonic acid from the Web

The Duna crew also cranks up the pressure on their keg system to carbonate this soda hard, which brings the persistent low hum of carbonic acid to the party.

— ali bouzari, San Francisco Chronicle, "Housemade: The silent science behind three signature dishes at Duna," 12 Apr. 2018
Saruhashi is credited with creating a table bearing her name accurately measuring the amount of carbonic acid in water based on its temperature, pH level and chlorinity.

— brett molina, USA TODAY, "Google honors geochemist Katsuko Saruhashi," 22 Mar. 2018
According to Google's Doodle Blog, the geochemist is best known for the eponymous Saruhashi's Table, a methodology for correctly measuring the concentration of carbonic acid in water using pH level, chlorinity, and temperature.

— madeline buxton, refinery29.com, "Today's Google Doodle Honors Pioneering Japanese Scientist Katsuko Saruhashi," 22 Mar. 2018
Climate change, where heat-trapping carbon dioxide is emitted into the air by burning coal, oil and other fossil fuels, ends up as excess carbonic acid absorbed into the ocean.

— doyle rice, USA TODAY, "Coral reefs at severe risk as world's oceans become more acidic," 14 Mar. 2018
When carbonic acid loses a proton or two, forming a bi-carbonate or carbonate, respectively, D News says, this lowers the PH of water, which changes its taste.

— jill krasny, Esquire, "Why Water Tastes Weird When You Leave It Out Overnight," 20 July 2015
According to the Coca-Cola Japan's website, the beverage is made with fructose glucose liquid sugar, coffee extract powder and carbonic acid, caramel coloring matter, acidulant, fragrance, and caffeine—a whole lot of caffeine.

— jillian kramer, SI.com, "Coca-Cola Unveils Coffee Drink in Japan," 19 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'carbonic acid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.