Complete the balanced molecular reaction for the following weak base with a strong acid:

Question

NaClO2(aq)+H2SO4(aq) ->

Answer 1

Hello, Cole,

The (ClO) group has a -1 charge, since sodium is +1. SO₄ has a -2 charge, so it has 2 hydrogens. The reaction involves the Na and H groups swapping places, to produce Na₂SO₄ and HClO₂.

One needs to choose a place to start when balancing equations. I find the best place is to pick the most complex compound. It's hard to pick in this case, but I'll pick H₂SO₄, since it has 2 H atoms that need to be accounted for.

Using a pencil, give the H₂SO₄ a coefficient of 1. That provides two H and 1 (SO4) group. Look at the products and see if we can find homes for the single (SO4) and 2 H's. The Na₂(SO₄) will take 1 SO4 group, so pencil a 1 for it's coefficient. The only product with H is HClO₂. This means the we need 2 of them to accept the 2 hydrogens coming in. Pencil a 2 for it's coefficient (HClO₂). So far, so good.

The 1 Na₂(SO₄) molecule has 2 Na's. The only place we can find sodium is the NaClO₂. We'll need to put a 2 for the NaClO₂ coefficient.

We'll got coefficents for all the compounds, so now check to see if everything balances. I believe they do, but in most cases it is necessary to erase an initial coefficient and update it. That's why I suggest pencil.

I hope this helps,

Bob