Use the unbalanced chemical equation to answer the question.
2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + CO2
Which of the following can be added to the products to balance the equation?
(1 point)
Responses
H2O
H 2 O
CH2OH
CH 2 OH
O2
O 2
H2
H2O
To balance the unbalanced chemical equation 2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + CO2, we can add certain molecules or atoms to the products to balance the equation.
Out of the given options, we would need to add O2 (oxygen gas) to the products to balance the equation. Adding O2 to the right side will give us:
2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + CO2 + O2
Now the equation is balanced with the same number of atoms on both sides.
To balance a chemical equation, you need to ensure that the same number of atoms of each element are present on both sides of the equation. In the given unbalanced equation:
2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + CO2
We can see that there are two sodium (Na) atoms on the left side, but only one on the right side. Therefore, we need to add something that contains an extra sodium atom.
Among the given options, the only one that contains sodium is NaHCO3, which is already present in the reactants. So, none of the options provided can be added to the products to balance the equation.
Therefore, the correct answer is none of the options provided.