Answer
$CO{_3}^{2-}(aq) + H_2O(l) \rightleftharpoons HC{O_3}^-(aq) + OH^-(aq)$
Work Step by Step
1. Identify the reactants.
Carbonate ion and water: $CO{_3}^{2-}$ and $H_2O$
2. Find the products.
- As the exercise says, $CO{_3}^{2-}$ acts as a base when it dissolves in water. Thus, we just need to find the conjugate acid for the carbonate ion and the conjugate base for water.
$CO{_3}^{2-} \longrightarrow HC{O_3}^-$
$H_2O \longrightarrow OH^-$
3. Write the equation.
$CO{_3}^{2-}(aq) + H_2O(l) \rightleftharpoons HC{O_3}^-(aq) + OH^-(aq)$
