For the aqueous reaction of sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide to form products (you should figure out the products), what is the balanced equation? Question 10 options: 1) H2SO4(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l) 2) HSO4 (aq) + NaOH(aq) NaSO4(aq) + H2O(l) 3) H2SO4(aq) + NaOH(aq) Na2SO4(aq) + H2O(l) 4) None of the above
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct balanced chemical equation for the reaction of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in aqueous solution is:
H2SO4(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
So, the answer is Option 1.
Explanation:
When sulfuric acid (H2SO4), a strong diprotic acid, reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), a strong base, they undergo a neutralization reaction to form water and a salt. Let’s break it down step by step:
- Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4):
- Sulfuric acid is a diprotic acid, meaning it can donate two protons (H⁺ ions).
- The reaction occurs in two steps because the acid can donate two hydrogen ions (H⁺).
- Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH):
- Sodium hydroxide is a strong base, meaning it dissociates completely in water to give hydroxide ions (OH⁻).
- Reaction:
- In the first step, one hydrogen ion from sulfuric acid reacts with one hydroxide ion from sodium hydroxide to form water (H2O).
- In the second step, the second hydrogen ion from sulfuric acid reacts with another hydroxide ion from sodium hydroxide to form another molecule of water.
- Salt Formation:
- The remaining ions, Na⁺ (from NaOH) and SO4²⁻ (from H2SO4), combine to form sodium sulfate (Na2SO4).
Thus, the balanced chemical equation is:
H2SO4(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
This equation shows the correct stoichiometric coefficients where two molecules of NaOH are required to neutralize one molecule of H2SO4. Option 1 accurately reflects this.
The other options are incorrect because:
- Option 2: Involves HSO4⁻, which is not the species involved in this particular reaction; we start with H2SO4.
- Option 3: Suggests a 1:1 ratio of NaOH to H2SO4, which is incorrect because sulfuric acid needs two hydroxide ions for complete neutralization.
- Option 4: This option does not represent the correct equation either.
