How do I balance the following into an equation? 10 mL of 2.0 M HCl is react with 8 mL of 1.7 M Ca(OH)2 in a neutralization reaction.
To balance the equation for the neutralization reaction between HCl and Ca(OH)2, you need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Write the unbalanced equation.
The unbalanced equation for the neutralization reaction can be written as follows:
HCl + Ca(OH)2 → H2O + CaCl2
Step 2: Write down the given information.
According to the question, you have 10 mL of 2.0 M HCl and 8 mL of 1.7 M Ca(OH)2.
Step 3: Convert the given volumes of solutions to moles of each substance.
To convert the volumes to moles, you need to use the equation:
Molarity (M) = moles of solute / volume of solution (L)
For HCl:
Given: Volume = 10 mL = 0.01 L
Molarity (HCl) = 2.0 M
Using the equation, you can calculate the moles of HCl:
2.0 M = moles of HCl / 0.01 L
moles of HCl = 2.0 M × 0.01 L
moles of HCl = 0.02 moles
For Ca(OH)2:
Given: Volume = 8 mL = 0.008 L
Molarity (Ca(OH)2) = 1.7 M
Using the equation, you can calculate the moles of Ca(OH)2:
1.7 M = moles of Ca(OH)2 / 0.008 L
moles of Ca(OH)2 = 1.7 M × 0.008 L
moles of Ca(OH)2 = 0.0136 moles
Step 4: Balance the equation by adjusting the coefficients.
Now that you have the moles of each substance, you can balance the equation based on the stoichiometry of the reaction.
The balanced equation for the neutralization reaction between HCl and Ca(OH)2 is:
2HCl + Ca(OH)2 → 2H2O + CaCl2
By doubling the coefficient of HCl, you ensure that the number of moles of HCl (0.02 moles) and Ca(OH)2 (0.0136 moles) are equal.
Step 5: Check that the equation is balanced.
Verify that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation.
- For H: 2 × 2 = 4 (2 on each side)
- For Cl: 2 = 2 (2 on each side)
- For Ca: 1 = 1 (1 on each side)
- For O: 2 × 2 = 4 (2 on each side)
Therefore, the equation is now balanced as 2HCl + Ca(OH)2 → 2H2O + CaCl2.