this is a question about how to write the reaction for mixing solid KOH with aqueous HCl...when i physically mixed the two there was gas formation (bubbles and heat were given off) but when i write the equation out i don't get where the gas is. the equation i got is:
KOH(s) + HCl(aq) --> H2O(l) +KCl(aq)
am i writing the equation wrong or was i wrong in concluding there was gas formation"
You have it correct.
The gas bubbles you saw PROBABLY were the result of the heat produced and you had localized boilding. Also you may have had some air bubbles occluded to the solid KOH during the immersion step.
Your equation is correct! The reaction between solid KOH (potassium hydroxide) and aqueous HCl (hydrochloric acid) indeed produces water and potassium chloride. However, it is important to note that although gas formation is expected, it may not be explicitly represented in the balanced chemical equation.
The gas produced in this reaction is hydrogen gas (H2). When KOH reacts with HCl, the following reaction occurs:
KOH(s) + HCl(aq) → H2O(l) + KCl(aq)
The gas formation is a result of the redox reaction between KOH and HCl. Potassium (K) from KOH gets oxidized, while hydrogen (H) from HCl gets reduced. The oxidation of KOH produces hydrogen gas, which is released as bubbles. The heat released is another indication of an exothermic reaction.
So, while your equation correctly represents the balanced chemical equation, it does not explicitly show the formation of the hydrogen gas. However, you should keep in mind that gas formation and the release of heat and bubbles during the reaction suggest the presence of hydrogen gas.