Question

NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O

An instructor is planning to demonstrate this reaction to a class as an example of a neutralization reaction. She does a test run, using NaOH pellets and 1.0 M HCl. The reaction mixture spatters. She concludes that this is unsafe; the reaction rate is too fast. How can she slow it down?

A)
heat the HCl


B)
use 0.2 M HCl


C)
add a catalyst


D)
grind the NaOH pellets to a powder

Answer 1

B) use 0.2 M HCl

Step-by-step explanation:

Lowering the concentration of a reactant will slow down the rate of reaction. If she would use 0.2 M HCl, the reaction rate will be slower than with 1.0 M HCl. The other choices would increase the rate of reaction, making it even more dangerous.

Answer 2

The correct answer is B).