Write the chemical equation that matches the following description of a reaction.

Question

A solution of sodium hydroxide reacts with gaseous carbon dioxide to produce liquid water and a solution of sodium carbonate.

Answer 1

Ok, let's do this!

NaOH is Sodium hydroxide *REACTANT

CO₂ is carbon dioxide *REACTANT

H2O is water *PRODUCT

Na₂CO₃ is sodium carbonate *PRODUCT

REACTANTS -----------> products (for forward rxns)

NaOH + CO_{2 ---------->} H₂O + Na₂CO₃

1 Na 2 Na

3 O 4 O

1 H 2 H

1 C 1 C

We have 1 sodium, 1 hydrogen, 3 oxygens and one carbon to the left of the equation: 2 hydrogens, 4 oxygens, one carbon and 2 sodium to the right.

Then we balance atoms accordingly,

2NaOH + CO_{2 ---------->} H₂O + Na₂CO₃

By simply putting 2 as coefficient next to the sodium hydroxide, we are able to balance the entire equation.

Julio Torres.