Question

What is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of aqueous sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid?

Select one:
a.NaOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) = H2O(l) + NaSO4(aq)
b.NaOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) = H2O(l) + Na(SO4)2(aq)
c.2 NaOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) = 2 H2O(l) + Na2SO4(aq)
d.NaOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) = H2O(l) + Na2SO4(aq)

Answer 1

c. 2 NaOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) = 2 H2O(l) + Na2SO4(aq)

Step-by-step explanation:

The reaction of a strong acid as H2SO4 and a strong base as NaOH produce water, H2O, and the salt, Na2SO4:

H2SO4(aq) + NaOH(aq) → H2O(l) + Na2SO4(aq) -Unbalanced reaction-

To balance the sodium atoms:

H2SO4(aq) + 2 NaOH(aq) → H2O(l) + Na2SO4(aq)

And, to balance hydrogen:

H2SO4(aq) + 2 NaOH(aq) → 2H2O(l) + Na2SO4(aq)

Thus, right option is:

c. 2 NaOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) = 2 H2O(l) + Na2SO4(aq)