human blood contains dissolved carbonc acid in equilibrium with carbon dioxide and water according to the reaction: h2CO3(aq)<-->CO2(aq)+H2O(l)

Question

explain why decreasing the concentration of Co2 will ultimately decrease the concentration of H2CO3.

Answer 1

Le Chatelier's Principle tells us, in simple terms, that the reaction will try to UNDO what we do to a system in equilibrium. Note that if we REMOVE CO2 from the reaction, the system will try to undo what we did (therefore, it will try to replace the CO2). How can it do that? By moving the equilibrium to the right. When we do that, the H2CO3 decreases.