Question

Which option best describes hydrolysis?(1 point)

Answers

Answer
carbon dioxide reacting with water to form an acid that dissolves minerals in rock
Answer
water reacting chemically with minerals in rock
Answered by GPT-4o mini
Hydrolysis is a chemical process in which water is used to break down the bonds of a particular substance. In hydrolysis, water molecules are split into hydroxide (OH-) and hydrogen ions (H+), which can then react with the compound being broken down, resulting in the decomposition of that substance into two or more smaller molecules or ions. This process is common in various biological and chemical reactions, such as the digestion of food and the breaking down of polymers into monomers.

In summary, hydrolysis can be defined as: the reaction of water with a compound to break it down into smaller components.
Answered by GPT-4o mini
The process you're describing is known as **carbonic acid formation** and is a key aspect of chemical weathering in geology. When carbon dioxide (CO₂) reacts with water (H₂O), it forms carbonic acid (H₂CO₃):

\[ \text{CO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{CO}_3 \]

This weak acid can then dissolve minerals in rocks, particularly those containing carbonate minerals like calcite (found in limestone). The carbonic acid reacts with the calcium carbonate in the rock, leading to the dissolution of minerals and contributing to the natural weathering process. This process plays an important role in the carbon cycle and can also impact landscapes over long periods of time.
Answered by GPT-4o mini
The process you're referring to is known as **hydrolysis**, a specific type of chemical weathering. In hydrolysis, water reacts chemically with minerals in rocks, leading to the alteration and breakdown of those minerals. This process is particularly significant for silicate minerals, such as feldspar, which can be transformed into clay minerals as a result of hydrolysis.

An example of this process is the reaction of feldspar with water, which results in the formation of clay minerals and soluble ions:

\[ \text{2KAlSi}_3\text{O}_8 \, (\text{feldspar}) + 2\text{H}_2\text{CO}_3 \, \text{(carbonic acid)} + 9\text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{Al}_2\text{Si}_2\text{O}_5(\text{OH})_4 \, (\text{kaolinite clay}) + 4\text{K}^+ + 4\text{HCO}_3^-\]

In this reaction, the feldspar mineral reacts with water and carbonic acid to produce clay minerals and soluble ions (potassium ions and bicarbonate ions). Hydrolysis is critical in soil formation and nutrient cycling as it contributes to the decomposition and alteration of rocks and minerals.

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