Is one molecule of carbon dioxide colliding with one sodium hydroxide molecule to make a sodium bicarbonate molecule? In this case, no. Two different reactions happen in sequence. Carbon dioxide and water react to make carbonic acid. read more
(a) When the alkali (NaOH) solution is very dilute (pH < 8), carbon dioxide will first react with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3) slowly. The acid thus formed then reacts with the alkali to give sodium hydrogencarbonate (NaHCO3). read more