write a balanced equation for the reaction of copper(II) sulfate with sodium carbonate to produce copper(II) carbonate and sodium sulfate
To write a balanced equation for the reaction between copper(II) sulfate and sodium carbonate, we need to understand the chemical formulas of the compounds involved and their respective charges.
The chemical formulas and charges of the compounds are as follows:
Copper(II) sulfate: CuSO4
Sodium carbonate: Na2CO3
Copper(II) carbonate: CuCO3
Sodium sulfate: Na2SO4
Now, let's consider the reaction. Copper(II) sulfate reacts with sodium carbonate, and as a result, copper(II) carbonate and sodium sulfate are produced.
The balanced equation for this reaction can be established by ensuring that the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides of the equation. Here's how to do it step by step:
1. Write the reactants on the left side of the equation and the products on the right side:
CuSO4 + Na2CO3 → CuCO3 + Na2SO4
2. Balance the number of atoms for each element in the compounds one at a time. We start with copper (Cu):
CuSO4 + Na2CO3 → CuCO3 + Na2SO4
There is one Cu atom on the left and one Cu atom on the right, so copper is already balanced.
3. Balance the number of atoms for sulfur (S):
CuSO4 + Na2CO3 → CuCO3 + Na2SO4
There is one S atom on the left and one S atom on the right, so sulfur is already balanced.
4. Balance the number of atoms for oxygen (O):
CuSO4 + Na2CO3 → CuCO3 + Na2SO4
There are four O atoms on the left and five O atoms on the right. To balance the O atoms, we add a coefficient of 5 to CuSO4:
CuSO4 + 5Na2CO3 → CuCO3 + Na2SO4
5. Balance the number of atoms for sodium (Na):
CuSO4 + 5Na2CO3 → CuCO3 + Na2SO4
There are ten Na atoms on the right, while there are none on the left. To balance the sodium atoms, we add a coefficient of 5 to Na2SO4:
CuSO4 + 5Na2CO3 → CuCO3 + 5Na2SO4
Now, the equation is balanced:
CuSO4 + 5Na2CO3 → CuCO3 + 5Na2SO4