HOCOOH

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Carbonic \Car*bon"ic\, a. [Cf. F. carbonique. See {Carbon}.]
     (Chem.)
     Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, carbon; as, carbonic
     oxide.
     [1913 Webster]
  


     {Carbonic acid} (Chem.), an acid {HO.CO.OH}, not existing
        separately, which, combined with positive or basic atoms
        or radicals, forms carbonates. In common language the term
        is very generally applied to a compound of carbon and
        oxygen, {CO2}, more correctly called {carbon dioxide}. It
        is a colorless, heavy, irrespirable gas, extinguishing
        flame, and when breathed destroys life. It can be reduced
        to a liquid and solid form by intense pressure. It is
        produced in the fermentation of liquors, and by the
        combustion and decomposition of organic substances, or
        other substances containing carbon. It is formed in the
        explosion of fire damp in mines, and is hence called
        {after damp}; it is also know as {choke damp}, and
        {mephitic air}. Water will absorb its own volume of it,
        and more than this under pressure, and in this state
        becomes the common soda water of the shops, and the
        carbonated water of natural springs. Combined with lime it
        constitutes limestone, or common marble and chalk. Plants
        imbibe it for their nutrition and growth, the carbon being
        retained and the oxygen given out.
  
     {Carbonic oxide} (Chem.), a colorless gas, {CO}, of a light
        odor, called more correctly {carbon monoxide}. It is
        almost the only definitely known compound in which carbon
        seems to be divalent. It is a product of the incomplete
        combustion of carbon, and is an abundant constituent of
        water gas. It is fatal to animal life, extinguishes
        combustion, and burns with a pale blue flame, forming
        carbon dioxide.
        [1913 Webster]