What is the balanced reaction between acetic acid and sodium hydroxide?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between acetic acid and sodium hydroxide is:
CH₃COOH + NaOH → CH₃COONa + H₂O
Explanation:
Acetic acid (CH₃COOH) is a weak acid, and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strong base. When they are mixed together, a neutralization reaction takes place. In this reaction, the hydrogen ion (H⁺) from the acetic acid reacts with the hydroxide ion (OH⁻) from the sodium hydroxide to form water (H₂O). At the same time, the remaining part of the acetic acid, the acetate ion (CH₃COO⁻), combines with the sodium ion (Na⁺) from the base to form sodium acetate (CH₃COONa), which is a salt.
This reaction is a typical acid-base reaction where an acid donates a proton and a base accepts it. Acetic acid is classified as a weak acid because it does not completely dissociate in water. Sodium hydroxide, on the other hand, is a strong base and fully dissociates into sodium and hydroxide ions in solution.
The equation is already balanced, as there is one molecule of each reactant producing one molecule of each product. Each atom that appears on the left side also appears on the right side in equal numbers, and the total charge on both sides is the same, making the reaction both mass and charge balanced.
This reaction is important in chemistry because it demonstrates how acids and bases interact to form salts and water. It is commonly used in titration experiments to determine the concentration of an unknown acid or base solution. In practical applications, reactions like this help in understanding how buffers work and in managing pH levels in various chemical and biological systems.