What are the products of the acid-base reaction of sodium carbonate with acetic acid? 5 CO2(g) + 2 H2O(l) + 2 NaOH(aq) → CO2(g) + H2O(l) + NaCH3COO(aq) + NaHCO3(aq) 2 NaCH3COO(aq) + H2O(l) → 2 NaOH(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The reaction between sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and acetic acid (CH3COOH) is an acid-base reaction. In this reaction, the sodium carbonate acts as a base, and acetic acid serves as the acid. When they react, sodium carbonate reacts with acetic acid to produce sodium acetate (NaCH3COO), water (H2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) gas.
Here is the balanced equation for the reaction:
Na2CO3(aq) + 2 CH3COOH(aq) → 2 NaCH3COO(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
Explanation:
- Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is a salt formed from a strong base (NaOH) and a weak acid (carbonic acid, H2CO3). It can react with acids, and in this case, it reacts with acetic acid.
- Acetic acid (CH3COOH) is a weak acid, and when it reacts with sodium carbonate, it donates protons (H+) to the carbonate ions (CO3²⁻) in sodium carbonate.
- This leads to the formation of carbonic acid (H2CO3), but carbonic acid is unstable and quickly decomposes into water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) gas.
The products of the reaction are:
- Sodium acetate (NaCH3COO), which is a salt formed by the reaction between acetic acid and sodium.
- Water (H2O), which is formed from the combination of the protons from acetic acid and the hydroxide ions (OH⁻) from sodium carbonate.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2), which is released as a gas due to the decomposition of carbonic acid.
The reaction can be simplified as:
Na2CO3(aq) + 2 CH3COOH(aq) → 2 NaCH3COO(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
In this process, we can observe effervescence (bubbling) as CO2 is released. This is a common characteristic of acid-base reactions involving carbonates. The sodium acetate formed is soluble in water, while the carbon dioxide gas escapes from the solution.
