Question

Balance the following unbalanced equations:

${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3+\mathrm{HCl}\to \mathrm{NaCl}+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}+{\mathrm{CO}}_2$

Answer 1

Steps involved in balancing a chemical reaction:

Step 1: Write the unbalanced equation.

${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3+\mathrm{HCl}\to \mathrm{NaCl}+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}+{\mathrm{CO}}_2$

Step 2: Write down the number of atoms of each elements present on both reactant as well as product side.

Element Reactant side Product side

$\mathrm{Na}$ $2$ $1$

$\mathrm{C}$ $1$ $1$

$\mathrm{O}$ $3$ $3$

$\mathrm{H}$ $1$ $2$

$\mathrm{Cl}$ $1$ $1$

Step 3: Add coefficients to balance the number of atoms on both the sides

Firstly balance $\mathrm{Na}$ at product side by adding $2$ before $\mathrm{NaCl}$.

${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3+\mathrm{HCl}\to 2\mathrm{NaCl}+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}+{\mathrm{CO}}_2$

Secondly balance $\mathrm{Cl}$ at reactant side by adding $2$ before $\mathrm{HCl}$.

${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3+2\mathrm{HCl}\to 2\mathrm{NaCl}+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}+{\mathrm{CO}}_2$

Check whether remaining elements (C, H and O) in the reaction are also balanced.

The balanced equation is:

${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+2\mathrm{HCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to 2\mathrm{NaCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$

Sodium bicarbonate Hydrochloric acid Sodium chloride Water Carbon dioxide