Write an equation for the reaction of
sodium bicarbonate with aqueous sulfuric acid to produce carbon dioxide.
To write the equation for the reaction between sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and aqueous sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2), we need to balance the equation by ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
The reaction can be represented as follows:
NaHCO3 + H2SO4 -> CO2 + H2O + Na2SO4
Let's break it down:
1. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) reacts with sulfuric acid (H2SO4).
2. As a result of the reaction, carbon dioxide (CO2) is formed.
3. Water (H2O) is also produced.
4. Sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) is the remaining product of the reaction.
Note: The coefficients in front of the chemical formulas represent the stoichiometric ratios, ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is balanced.
You can verify the equation by counting the number of atoms on each side:
On the left side:
- Sodium (Na): 1
- Hydrogen (H): 1
- Carbon (C): 1
- Oxygen (O): 3
- Sulfur (S): 1
On the right side:
- Carbon (C): 1
- Oxygen (O): 4
- Hydrogen (H): 2
- Sodium (Na): 2
- Sulfur (S): 1
Both sides of the equation have the same number of atoms for each element, indicating that the equation is balanced.