NaOH + H2SO4→ Na2SO4 + H2O . Balance the given chemical equation
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Balanced Chemical Equation:
2NaOH + H₂SO₄ → Na₂SO₄ + 2H₂O
Explanation:
This is a neutralization reaction, where sodium hydroxide (NaOH), a strong base, reacts with sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), a strong acid. The products are sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄), a salt, and water (H₂O).
To balance this chemical equation, it is important to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides. Begin by writing the skeleton equation:
NaOH + H₂SO₄ → Na₂SO₄ + H₂O
Now examine each element:
- Sodium (Na): On the left, there is one Na atom in NaOH. On the right, Na₂SO₄ contains two Na atoms. So, place a coefficient of 2 in front of NaOH: 2NaOH + H₂SO₄ → Na₂SO₄ + H₂O
- Sulfur (S) and Oxygen (O) in Sulfate (SO₄): There is one sulfate ion (SO₄) on both sides, so sulfur and the four oxygen atoms in sulfate are already balanced.
- Hydrogen (H): On the left, there are two hydrogen atoms from two NaOH molecules and two more from H₂SO₄, totaling four hydrogen atoms. On the right, H₂O has two hydrogen atoms per molecule. Therefore, two H₂O molecules are needed to have four hydrogen atoms in total. So, place a coefficient of 2 in front of H₂O: 2NaOH + H₂SO₄ → Na₂SO₄ + 2H₂O
Now, all elements are balanced:
- Sodium (Na): 2 on both sides
- Sulfur (S): 1 on both sides
- Oxygen (O): 4 from sulfate and 2 from water on both sides
- Hydrogen (H): 4 on both sides
This balanced equation represents a complete neutralization where one molecule of sulfuric acid reacts with two molecules of sodium hydroxide to form one molecule of sodium sulfate and two molecules of water.
