Question

What is observed when 2 mL of dilute hydrochloric acid is added to 1 g of sodium carbonate taken in a clean and dry test tube? Write the chemical equation for the reaction involved.

Answer 1

Reaction of acids with metal carbonates

• An acid reacts with metal carbonate to give salt, water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$, and carbon dioxide $\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)$ as the product.
• Brisk effervescence is observed, confirming the released gas to be carbon dioxide.

Reaction

• Sodium carbonate $\left({\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3\right)$ $\left(1\mathrm{gm}\right)$ reacts with an acid, i.e., hydrochloric acid $\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$ $\left(2\mathrm{mL}\right)$ to give sodium chloride $\left(\mathrm{NaCl}\right)$ along with carbon dioxide and water.
• Brisk effervescence is observed, indicating the presence of carbon dioxide gas.
• The reaction is as follows,

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