Balance the following equations: c. NaHCO3(𝑠)+H2SO4(𝑎𝑞)⟶CO2(𝑔)+H2O(𝑙)+Na2SO4(𝑎𝑞)

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Identify the reactants and products in the equation. Reactants are NaHCO3 (sodium bicarbonate) and H2SO4 (sulfuric acid). Products are CO2 (carbon dioxide), H2O (water), and Na2SO4 (sodium sulfate).

Write the unbalanced chemical equation: NaHCO3(s) + H2SO4(aq) → CO2(g) + H2O(l) + Na2SO4(aq).

Balance the sodium (Na) atoms first. Since there are two sodium atoms in Na2SO4 on the product side, you need two NaHCO3 molecules on the reactant side.

Next, balance the hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) atoms. Check the number of hydrogen and oxygen atoms on both sides of the equation to ensure they are equal.

Finally, verify that all other elements are balanced and adjust coefficients if necessary to ensure the total number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations involves ensuring that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation. This is based on the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. Coefficients are used to adjust the quantities of reactants and products to achieve balance.

Types of Chemical Reactions

The reaction between sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is an example of an acid-base reaction, where an acid reacts with a bicarbonate to produce carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and a salt (Na2SO4). Understanding the type of reaction helps predict the products formed and the stoichiometry involved in balancing the equation.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions based on their molar ratios. It allows chemists to determine how much of each substance is needed or produced in a reaction. In balancing equations, stoichiometric coefficients are essential for ensuring that the proportions of reactants and products are correct according to the balanced equation.

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