Which of the following represents a basic formula involving a metal carbonate?

The correct response involves the reaction of an acid with a metal carbonate. This process is represented by the formula where an acid reacts with a metal carbonate to produce salt, water, and carbon dioxide.

In this reaction, the metal carbonate reacts with the acid, resulting in the formation of a salt, which is a new ionic compound, and water due to the neutralization of the acid. The release of carbon dioxide occurs as a gas produced during the reaction, often evidenced by fizzing or bubbling. This is a key characteristic of the reaction between an acid and a carbonate.

This reaction is important in chemistry because it illustrates the properties of carbonates and their behavior in acidic environments, demonstrating both neutralization and gas evolution. The other options provided do not accurately reflect the basic interaction between an acid and a metal carbonate, as they either describe different types of reactions or omit the formation of carbon dioxide.