write a balanced formula equation for the reaction between sulfuric acid and calcium metal
Ca + H2SO4 ==> CaSO4 + H2
To write a balanced formula equation for the reaction between sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and calcium metal (Ca), you need to understand the chemical formulas and the rules of balancing equations.
1. Determine the chemical formulas of the reactants:
Sulfuric acid: H2SO4
Calcium metal: Ca
2. Write the unbalanced equation by placing the reactants on the left side of the equation and the products on the right side:
H2SO4 + Ca -> ?
3. Analyze each reactant to determine the products formed. Sulfuric acid is a strong acid, so it will react with metals to produce hydrogen gas (H2) and a metal sulfate salt. Calcium metal will react with sulfuric acid to form calcium sulfate (CaSO4) and hydrogen gas (H2).
The balanced equation is as follows:
H2SO4 + Ca -> CaSO4 + H2
Now that the balanced equation is established, it shows that one molecule of sulfuric acid reacts with one molecule of calcium to produce one molecule of calcium sulfate and one molecule of hydrogen gas.