Question

In an experiment, sodium hydroxide solution reacts with hydrochloric acid solution to produce sodium chloride solution and water. Which of the following correctly represents the balanced equation (with physical states) for this experiment?

• A. NaOH (aq) + HCl (l) → NaCl (aq) + $H_{2}O$ (l)
• B. NaOH (aq) + HCl (aq) → NaCl (aq) + $H_{2}O$ (l)
• C. NaOH (aq) + HCl (aq) → NaCl (aq) + $H_{2}O$ (aq)
• D. NaOH (aq) + HCl (l) → NaCl (aq) + $H_{2}O$ (aq)

Answer 1

The correct option is B

NaOH (aq) + HCl (aq) → NaCl (aq) + $H_{2}O$ (l)

NaOH + HCl → NaCl + $H_{2}O$ , the equation is already balanced, the physical states are NaOH, HCl and NaCl are solutions with water, hence written as (aq). H₂O is water in liquid state, written as (l).

NaOH (aq) + HCl (aq) → NaCl (aq) + $H_{2}O$ (l)