write the following as a balanced symbol equation:
sodium oxide + nitric acid -> sodium nitrate + water
2Na2O + 2HNO3 -> 2NaNO3 + H2O
To balance the symbol equation for the reaction between sodium oxide (Na2O) and nitric acid (HNO3) to produce sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and water (H2O), follow these steps:
Step 1: Write the unbalanced equation:
Na2O + HNO3 → NaNO3 + H2O
Step 2: Balance the sodium atoms:
Na2O + HNO3 → 2NaNO3 + H2O
Step 3: Balance the hydrogen atoms:
Na2O + 2HNO3 → 2NaNO3 + H2O
Step 4: Balance the oxygen atoms:
Na2O + 2HNO3 → 2NaNO3 + H2O
The balanced symbol equation is:
Na2O + 2HNO3 → 2NaNO3 + H2O