How would I figure out what is produced during a chemical reaction between 0.5 grams of sodium bicarbonate and 3 grams of citric acid? I know that it produces carbon dioxide and water but my professor said I am missing something from my equation.
sodium bicarbonate + citric acid ==> CO2 + H2O + sodium citrate
To determine what is produced during a chemical reaction between sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and citric acid (C6H8O7), you can start by writing the balanced chemical equation for the reaction. The reaction between sodium bicarbonate and citric acid will produce sodium citrate, carbon dioxide, and water.
Here's how you can determine the balanced equation:
1. Write the chemical formulas for sodium bicarbonate and citric acid:
Sodium bicarbonate: NaHCO3
Citric acid: C6H8O7
2. Identify the products formed during the reaction. In this case, the products are sodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7), carbon dioxide (CO2), and water (H2O).
3. Write the unbalanced equation for the reaction:
NaHCO3 + C6H8O7 → Na3C6H5O7 + CO2 + H2O
Now, to balance the equation, we need to make sure that there are an equal number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation.
4. Begin by balancing the carbon atoms. There are 6 carbon atoms in citric acid but only one carbon atom in sodium bicarbonate. To balance carbon atoms, we can place a coefficient of 6 in front of sodium bicarbonate:
6 NaHCO3 + C6H8O7 → Na3C6H5O7 + CO2 + H2O
5. Next, balance the hydrogen atoms. There are 8 hydrogen atoms in citric acid but only 1 hydrogen atom in sodium bicarbonate. To balance hydrogen atoms, we can place a coefficient of 8 in front of water:
6 NaHCO3 + C6H8O7 → Na3C6H5O7 + CO2 + 8 H2O
6. Finally, balance the sodium atoms. There are 3 sodium atoms in sodium citrate formed on the right side, so we need to place a coefficient of 2 in front of sodium bicarbonate:
2 NaHCO3 + C6H8O7 → Na3C6H5O7 + CO2 + 8 H2O
Now, the equation is balanced. The reaction between 0.5 grams of sodium bicarbonate and 3 grams of citric acid, following this balanced equation, will produce 1 mole of sodium citrate, 1 mole of carbon dioxide, and 8 moles of water.