Answer: The quantitative interpretation of the reaction is as follows: 84.01 g (1 mol) of sodium
bicarbonate reacts with 36.46 g (1 mol) of hydrochloric acid to generate 58.44 g (1 mol) of salt,
18.02 g (1 mol) of water, and 44.01 g (or 1 mol) of carbon dioxide. Of course the starting
quantity of NaHCO3 may be more or less than 84.01 g, but a proportionate quantity of the
hydrochloric acid will be consumed, and proportionate quantities of the products will be formed.
For example, should 100.00 g of NaHCO3 react with excess acid, the theoretical mass of salt
produced would be calculated as follows:
58.44 g sodium chloride 100.00 g sodium bicarbonate
84.01 g sodium bicarbonate = 69.55 g sodium
chloride
Note that when a bicarbonate is reacted with excess acid, the salt produced is the only substance
not readily volatile. That is, the unreacted acid, the water, and the carbon dioxide are easily
removed by heating. Does this help?
