Question #6615d

1 Answer
Ernest Z.
Jun 13, 2017

Here's my explanation.

Explanation:

The hydrogen carbonate ion, "HCO"_3^"-", does not exist by itself.

It must be paired with a positive ion such as "Na"^"+" or "NH"_4^"+".

So, we can have compounds like "NaHCO"_3 and "NH"_4"HCO"_3, and they are all solids at room temperature.

However, in aqueous solution, the ions separate from each other, as in

"NaHCO"_3"(s)" → "Na"^"+""(aq)" + "HCO"_3^"-""(aq)"

I suppose you would say that in this case the hydrogen carbonate ion is in an "aqueous" state.

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