Na +H2O — NaOH +H2 . Balance of the chemical equation.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Balanced Chemical Equation:
2Na+2H2O→2NaOH+H2\boxed{2Na + 2H_2O \rightarrow 2NaOH + H_2}2Na+2H2O→2NaOH+H2
Explanation
Balancing chemical equations is a fundamental concept in chemistry that ensures the Law of Conservation of Mass is followed. This law states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. Therefore, the number of atoms of each element must be the same on both the reactant and product sides of the equation.
Let us consider the reaction between sodium (Na) and water (H₂O). The unbalanced chemical equation is: Na+H2O→NaOH+H2Na + H_2O \rightarrow NaOH + H_2Na+H2O→NaOH+H2
Step 1: Balance the sodium (Na) atoms.
There is 1 Na atom on the left and 1 Na atom in NaOH on the right. So far, sodium is balanced.
Step 2: Balance the oxygen (O) atoms.
There is 1 oxygen atom in H₂O on the left and 1 oxygen atom in NaOH on the right. Oxygen is also balanced.
Step 3: Balance the hydrogen (H) atoms.
On the left side, there are 2 hydrogen atoms in H₂O. On the right side, NaOH contains 1 hydrogen atom and H₂ is a molecule made of 2 hydrogen atoms.
Adding up the hydrogen atoms on the right:
- 1 H from NaOH
- 2 H from H₂ molecule (Note: H₂ means two hydrogen atoms bonded together)
This results in 3 hydrogen atoms on the product side but only 2 on the reactant side. This suggests the equation is unbalanced.
To fix this, multiply H₂O and NaOH by 2: 2Na+2H2O→2NaOH+H22Na + 2H_2O \rightarrow 2NaOH + H_22Na+2H2O→2NaOH+H2
Now check again:
- Sodium: 2 atoms on both sides.
- Oxygen: 2 atoms from 2 H₂O on the left and 2 in 2 NaOH on the right.
- Hydrogen: 4 atoms from 2 H₂O on the left, and 2 in 2 NaOH + 2 in H₂ on the right.
All elements are now balanced, and the equation is correct.
