Question

During science lab, Jacob mixes together sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrochloric acid (HCl). The two chemicals react to form sodium chloride (NaCl) and water (H2O).
Which of the following are reactants in the chemical reaction described above?

Answer 1

The reactants are the chemicals that are added to each other/react with each other. They produce the products.

Reactants: NaOH, HCl

Products: NaCl, H2O

Answer 2

Answer: The reactants in the chemical reaction are NaOH and HCl.

Explanation:

In a chemical equation, the chemical species are termed as reactants or products.

Reactants are defined as the species which react in the reaction and are written on the left side of the reaction arrow.

Products are defined as the species which are produced in the reaction and are written on the right side of the reaction arrow.

The chemical equation for the reaction of NaOH and HCl follows:

$NaOH+HCl\rightarrow NaCl+H_2O$

By Stoichiometry of the reaction:

1 mole of sodium hydroxide reacts with 1 mole of hydrochloric acid to form 1 mole of sodium chloride and 1 mole of water

Hence, the reactants in the chemical reaction are NaOH and HCl.