What type of reaction is the reaction between an acid and a carbonate?
The first step is a proton transfer (acid-base reaction), from HCl to carbonate, to produce hydrogen carbonate ion. The second step is also a proton transfer, from HCl to hydrogen carbonate to produce carbonic acid. The third step (or maybe better described as a two-step acid-catalyzed process) is the dehydration of carbonic acid to carbon dioxide and water.