Question

Sulfuric acid reacts with aqueous sodium hydroxide to produce aqueous sodium sulfate and liquid water. Which is the correct balanced chemical equation for this reaction description?

Answer 1

Answer:

Balanced reaction is:  H₂SO₄ (aq) + 2NaOH (aq) → Na₂SO₄ (aq) + 2H₂O (l)

Explanation:

We determine the reactants:

H₂SO₄ → Sulfuric acid

NaOH → Sodium hydroxide

When a strong acid and a strong base react each other, it is produced water and a determined salt. This is a reaction of neutralization

We dissociate the reactants:

H₂SO₄ → 2H⁺ + SO₄⁻²

NaOH →  Na⁺ + OH⁻

2H⁺ + 2OH⁻ → 2H₂O

2Na⁺ + SO₄⁻²  → Na₂SO₄

Balanced reaction is:  H₂SO₄ (aq) + 2NaOH (aq) → Na₂SO₄ (aq) + 2H₂O (l)