Use the unbalanced chemical equation to answer the question.
2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + CO2
Which of the following can be added to the products to balance the equation?
(1 point)
H2
CH2OH
H2O
O2
HELP ME!
To balance the given chemical equation, we need to have the same number of atoms on both sides of the equation.
Looking at the equation:
2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + CO2
We see that there are two sodium (Na) atoms on the reactant side but only one sodium atom on the product side. To balance the equation, we need to add a coefficient in front of Na2CO3 to give two sodium atoms on the product side as well.
So, the correct choice to add to balance the equation is: 2Na2CO3
Among the options you provided, the only one that corresponds to a compound that might be added to balance the equation is H2O (water). Adding water on the reactant side will help to balance the number of hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) atoms.
Therefore, the correct answer is: H2O.
To balance the given chemical equation, we need to have an equal number of each type of atom on both sides. Let's start by counting the atoms on both sides of the equation:
On the reactant side:
- 2 sodium (Na) atoms
- 2 hydrogen (H) atoms
- 2 carbon (C) atoms
- 6 oxygen (O) atoms (2 in each bicarbonate ion)
On the product side:
- 0 sodium (Na) atoms (only present in the reaction as a reactant)
- 1 carbon (C) atom
- 1 oxygen (O) atom (from carbonate ion)
- 1 carbon (C) atom
- 2 oxygen (O) atoms (from carbon dioxide)
- Total: 3 carbon (C) atoms, 3 oxygen (O) atoms
To balance the equation, we need to add coefficients in front of the products to equalize the number of each type of atom.
Let's look at the answer choices:
- H2: This does not contain the necessary elements to balance the equation.
- CH2OH: This does not contain the necessary elements to balance the equation.
- H2O: This contains two hydrogen (H) atoms and one oxygen (O) atom, so it will help balance the equation.
- O2: This contains two oxygen (O) atoms, but no other necessary elements to balance the equation.
Based on the analysis, the answer is H2O. You can add water (H2O) to the products side of the equation to balance the chemical equation:
2NaHCO3 -> Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
Now both sides have equal numbers of sodium (Na), hydrogen (H), carbon (C), and oxygen (O) atoms, making the equation balanced.