How to solve this chemical equation?

Question

NaHCO3 (s) + HC6 H8 O7 (s) → H2 CO3 (aq) + NaC6 H8 O7 (aq) H2 CO3 (aq) → H2 O (l) + CO2 (g)

Answer 1

Hi Karanbir S.,

First off -- that's two equations, not one. Inspect carefully, and you'll see that the H2CO3 initially formed decomposes to set free CO2 gas and liquid water. Writing the two equations on one line isn't cool!

Now drop back one stage. The carboxylic acid donates one proton to the bicarbonate ion, and that bubbles out as just one CO2, and makes one carboxylate ion. Note that I can confidently say that that's what's happened, even without knowing the structure of the particular carboxylic acid! You SHOULD be able to balance that equation (including the passive Na+ ions), since it's just one of everything?

-- Cheers, --Mr. d.