Question

How do you balance this equation?

Answer 1

Answer:

HC₂H₃O₂ + NaHCO₃ —> NaC₂H₃O₂ + CO₂ + H₂O

The coefficients are: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1

Explanation:

_HC₂H₃O₂ + _NaHCO₃ —> _NaC₂H₃O₂ + _CO₂ + _H₂O

To balance an equation, we simply do a head count of the individual elements and ensure they are balanced on both side.

For the above equation, we shall balance it as :

HC₂H₃O₂ + NaHCO₃ —> NaC₂H₃O₂ + CO₂ + H₂O

Reactant:

H = 5

C = 3

O = 5

Na = 1

Product:

H = 5

C = 3

O = 5

Na = 1

From the above, we can see that each element is the same on both side of the equation. Thus the equation is already balanced

HC₂H₃O₂ + NaHCO₃ —> NaC₂H₃O₂ + CO₂ + H₂O

The coefficients are: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1