Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the balanced molecular equation for the reaction between NaOH (aq) and HNO3 (aq)?
3. Chemical Reactions
Balancing Chemical Equations
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Which of the following is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of calcium hydroxide with hydrochloric acid?
A
Ca(OH)2 + 2HCl → CaCl2 + 2H2O
B
Ca(OH)2 + HCl → CaCl + 2H2O
C
Ca(OH)2 + HCl → CaCl2 + H2O
D
Ca(OH)2 + 2HCl → CaCl2 + H2
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the reactants and products in the chemical reaction. The reactants are calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and hydrochloric acid (HCl), and the products are calcium chloride (CaCl2) and water (H2O).
Write the unbalanced chemical equation using the chemical formulas of the reactants and products: Ca(OH)2 + HCl → CaCl2 + H2O.
Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. For example, calcium (Ca) has 1 atom on both sides, but chlorine (Cl) and hydrogen (H) need to be balanced.
Balance the equation by adjusting the coefficients. Start by balancing the chlorine atoms by placing a coefficient of 2 in front of HCl: Ca(OH)2 + 2HCl → CaCl2 + H2O.
Finally, balance the hydrogen atoms by ensuring there are 4 hydrogen atoms on both sides. Place a coefficient of 2 in front of H2O: Ca(OH)2 + 2HCl → CaCl2 + 2H2O.
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