`CO_(2)` dissolves in water to form carbonic acid `(H_(2)CO_(3))`
`CO_(2)(g) + H_(2)O(g) ltimplies underset("Weak acid")H_(2)CO_(3)(aq)`
As the reaction is reversible, `H_(2)CO_(3)` dissociats to give `CO_(2)` and `H_(2)O` in the backward reaction. However, with aqueous NaOH solution, `H_(2)O_(2)` reacts as follows:
`H_(2)CO_(3)(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) to Na_(2)CO_(3)(aq) + 2H_(2)O(l)`
As a result, more of `CO_(2)` dissolve in water to form carbonic acid. This means that the gas is more soluble in the aqueous alkali solution than in water alone.
