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?
H2
H 2
H2O
H 2 O
CH2OH
CH 2 OH
O2
O2
To balance the chemical equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
In the given equation, we have:
2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + CO2
To balance the equation, we need to add coefficients to the chemical formulas of the reactants and products. The coefficients represent the number of molecules or moles of each substance.
Looking at the reactants, we have 2 sodium (Na) atoms, 2 hydrogen (H) atoms, 2 carbon (C) atoms, and 6 oxygen (O) atoms.
Looking at the products, we have 2 sodium (Na) atoms, 1 carbon (C) atom, and 3 oxygen (O) atoms.
To balance the equation, we need to equalize the number of each element on both sides.
Starting with sodium (Na), we already have 2 sodium (Na) atoms on both sides.
Next, for hydrogen (H), we have 2 hydrogen (H) atoms on the left side, but no hydrogen (H) atoms on the right side.
Hence, we can add H2O (water) to the products to balance the equation. Adding H2O will introduce 2 hydrogen (H) atoms to the right side:
2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
Now, let's count the remaining elements.
For carbon (C), we have 2 carbon (C) atoms on the left side and 1 carbon (C) atom on the right side.
Finally, for oxygen (O), we have 6 oxygen (O) atoms on the left side and 5 oxygen (O) atoms on the right side.
To balance the equation completely, we need to double the right side:
2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
Therefore, H2O (water) can be added to the products to balance the equation.
To balance the given chemical equation, you need to have an equal number of atoms on both sides. Currently, the equation is unbalanced because there are two hydrogen (H) atoms on the left side but only one on the right side.
To balance the equation, you should add the compound that contains the missing hydrogen atom, which is water (H2O). By adding water as a reactant, you will have additional hydrogen atoms on the right side of the equation.
The balanced equation will be as follows:
2NaHCO3 -> Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
Now, the number of hydrogen atoms is balanced on both sides with two atoms on each side. None of the other options provided (H2, CH2OH, O2) will balance the equation as they do not contain enough hydrogen atoms to make both sides equal.