Anyone able to help me figure out the products and balance this equation?
CH3COOH (aq) + NaOH (aq) ->
I know it equals a salt and a base... But I can't figure out what... :P
Would it possibly be...
NaCH3COO + HOH for products?
yes.
To balance the equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms on each side of the equation is the same. Let's start by counting the number of atoms for each element.
On the left side of the equation:
- Carbon (C): 2 atoms
- Hydrogen (H): 4 atoms
- Oxygen (O): 2 atoms
On the right side of the equation:
- Sodium (Na): 1 atom
- Carbon (C): 1 atom
- Hydrogen (H): 3 atoms
- Oxygen (O): 2 atoms
We need to balance the number of atoms for each element by adjusting the coefficients in front of the compounds.
First, let's balance sodium (Na) by placing a coefficient of 1 in front of NaOH, which gives us:
CH3COOH (aq) + 1NaOH (aq) ->
Next, let's balance carbon (C) by placing a coefficient of 1 in front of CH3COOH:
1CH3COOH (aq) + 1NaOH (aq) ->
Now, let's balance hydrogen (H) by placing a coefficient of 2 in front of NaOH:
1CH3COOH (aq) + 2NaOH (aq) ->
Finally, let's balance oxygen (O) by placing a coefficient of 1 in front of H2O (which is formed when CH3COOH and NaOH react):
1CH3COOH (aq) + 2NaOH (aq) -> 1NaCH3COO (aq) + 1H2O (l)
So, the balanced equation is:
CH3COOH (aq) + 2NaOH (aq) -> NaCH3COO (aq) + H2O (l)
The products of the reaction are NaCH3COO (sodium acetate) and H2O (water).