NaOH + H2CO3 → Na2CO3 + H2O balance the chemical equations
The correct answer and explanation is:
Balanced Chemical Equation:
2NaOH + H₂CO₃ → Na₂CO₃ + 2H₂O
Explanation (300 words):
Balancing chemical equations ensures that the same number of each type of atom appears on both the reactant and product sides of the equation, in accordance with the Law of Conservation of Mass. In the given chemical reaction, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) reacts with carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) to form sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) and water (H₂O).
To balance this reaction, examine each element one by one. Begin with sodium (Na). The product Na₂CO₃ contains two sodium atoms, meaning two NaOH molecules are needed to supply the two Na atoms. Write 2NaOH on the left side.
Next, look at the hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) contains two hydrogen atoms and three oxygen atoms. On the right side, Na₂CO₃ contributes three oxygen atoms, and water molecules contribute both hydrogen and oxygen. Since two NaOH molecules provide two hydroxide ions (OH⁻), and H₂CO₃ provides two hydrogen ions (H⁺), they combine to form two water molecules (H₂O).
So, the hydrogen atoms from H₂CO₃ and the hydroxide ions from NaOH result in two water molecules. Therefore, place a coefficient of 2 in front of H₂O on the product side.
After this, count each type of atom:
- Sodium: 2 on both sides
- Hydrogen: 2 from H₂CO₃ and 2 from 2NaOH → 2H in 2H₂O
- Carbon: 1 on both sides
- Oxygen: 3 from H₂CO₃ and 2 from 2NaOH → 3 in Na₂CO₃ and 2 in 2H₂O
This confirms the equation is balanced. The overall reaction is a neutralization reaction between a base (NaOH) and an acid (H₂CO₃), forming a salt (Na₂CO₃) and water.