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Ch.22 - Chemistry of the Nonmetals
All textbooksBrown 14th EditionCh.22 - Chemistry of the NonmetalsProblem 38
Chapter 22, Problem 38

Complete the exercises below. Complete and balance the following equation: c. Na₂O₂ (s) + H₂O (l) →

Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: Identify the reactants and products. The reactants are sodium peroxide (Na₂O₂) and water (H₂O). The products will include sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and oxygen gas (O₂).
Step 2: Write the unbalanced chemical equation using the identified reactants and products: Na₂O₂ (s) + H₂O (l) → NaOH (aq) + O₂ (g).
Step 3: Balance the sodium (Na) atoms. There are 2 Na atoms in Na₂O₂, so you need 2 NaOH molecules on the product side: Na₂O₂ (s) + H₂O (l) → 2 NaOH (aq) + O₂ (g).
Step 4: Balance the oxygen (O) atoms. There are 2 O atoms in Na₂O₂ and 1 O atom in H₂O, making a total of 3 O atoms on the reactant side. On the product side, there are 2 O atoms in 2 NaOH and 2 O atoms in O₂, making a total of 4 O atoms. Adjust the water to balance the oxygen: Na₂O₂ (s) + 2 H₂O (l) → 2 NaOH (aq) + O₂ (g).
Step 5: Balance the hydrogen (H) atoms. There are 4 H atoms on the reactant side (from 2 H₂O) and 4 H atoms on the product side (from 2 NaOH), so the equation is now balanced.

Key Concepts

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

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations is the process of 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. To balance an equation, coefficients are adjusted in front of the chemical formulas to achieve equal atom counts.
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Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions involve the transfer of electrons between substances, leading to changes in oxidation states. In the reaction involving sodium peroxide (Na₂O₂) and water (H₂O), sodium peroxide acts as an oxidizing agent, and understanding the oxidation states of sodium, oxygen, and hydrogen is crucial for predicting the products formed during the reaction.
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Products of Sodium Peroxide and Water Reaction

When sodium peroxide reacts with water, it typically produces sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Recognizing the expected products of this reaction is essential for completing and balancing the equation correctly. This knowledge helps in determining the stoichiometry of the reaction and ensuring that the final balanced equation accurately reflects the reactants and products involved.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Write balanced equations for each of the following reactions.

b. When copper(II) nitrate is heated strongly, it decomposes to form copper(II) oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and oxygen.

e. Potassium peroxide reacts with CO2(g) to give potassium carbonate and O2.