Which of the following mixture would be most likely to produce carbon dioxide? Explain Why?
a. magnesium and nitric acid: Mg+ HNO3
b. sodium carbonate and sufuricacid: Na2CO3+H2SO4
c. H2O+ Cu
To determine which of the given mixtures is most likely to produce carbon dioxide, let's examine the chemical reactions involved in each case.
a. magnesium and nitric acid: Mg + HNO3
When magnesium reacts with nitric acid, it forms magnesium nitrate and releases hydrogen gas. The chemical equation for this reaction is:
Mg + 2HNO3 -> Mg(NO3)2 + H2
b. sodium carbonate and sulfuric acid: Na2CO3 + H2SO4
When sodium carbonate reacts with sulfuric acid, it forms sodium sulfate, water, and carbon dioxide gas. The chemical equation for this reaction is:
Na2CO3 + H2SO4 -> Na2SO4 + H2O + CO2
c. H2O + Cu
A mixture of water and copper does not result in a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide. It is just a physical mixture.
Taking into account the given reactions, option b (sodium carbonate and sulfuric acid) is the most likely to produce carbon dioxide out of the three. When sodium carbonate reacts with sulfuric acid, it explicitly produces carbon dioxide gas.
Remember to review the chemical equations and reactions to understand why a particular mixture would produce carbon dioxide.