complete and write the following as a balanced symbol equation:
sodium hydroxide + sulfuric acid
sodium sulfate + water
2NaOH + H2SO4 -> Na2SO4 + 2H2O
To write a balanced symbol equation for the reaction between sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4), we need to ensure that the number of each atom on both sides of the equation is equal.
The equation for this reaction is:
NaOH + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + H2O
Let's break it down step-by-step:
Step 1: Write the chemical formula for sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid.
NaOH + H2SO4
Step 2: Identify the elements in each compound and balance them one by one.
Sodium (Na) is balanced with 2 sodium atoms on the other side:
NaOH + H2SO4 → Na2SO4
Hydrogen (H) is balanced with two hydrogen atoms on the other side:
NaOH + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + H2O
Sulfur (S) is balanced with one sulfur atom on the other side:
NaOH + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + H2O
Oxygen (O) is balanced with four oxygen atoms on the other side:
NaOH + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + H2O
Now the equation is balanced, and we have:
Sodium hydroxide + Sulfuric acid → Sodium sulfate + Water
NaOH + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + H2O