Question

Which is the balanced chemical equation representing the reaction between

vinegar and baking soda?
C2H4O2 + NaHCO3 - NaC2H302 + H2O + CO2
O A) C2H4O2 + NaHCO3 - NaC2H302 + H2O + CO2
O B) C2H4O2 + 2NaHCO3 - 2NaC2H302 + H2O + CO2
OC) 2C2H4O2 + NaHCO3 - NaC2H302 + H2O + 2002
OD 2C2H4O2 + NaHCO3 - NaC2H302 + 2H20 + 2002

Answer 1

The correct option is OA.

C2H4O2 + NaHCO3 - NaC2H302 + H2O + CO2

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve this you have to check the number of elements in both sides of the equation.

Answer 2

Choice A:
`\rm 1\; C_2H_4 O_2 + 1\;NaHCO_3 \to 1\;NaC_2H_3O_2 + 1\;H_2O + 1\;CO_2`.

Step-by-step explanation:

Indeed it is possible to balance this equation by the conservation of atoms in a chemical reaction. However, knowing what's actually going on in this process will likely make this problem easier to solve.

Vinegar contains acetic acid
`\rm C_2H_4 O_2`. Acetic acid is a monoprotic acid. In other words, each
`\rm C_2H_4 O_2` can dissociate to produce up to one hydrogen ion
`\rm H^(+)`. That is:

`\rm C_2H_4 O_2 \rightleftharpoons {C_2H_3 O_2}^(-) + H^(+)`.

Baking soda is a common name for sodium bicarbonate
`\rm NaHCO_3`. Each formula unit of
`\rm NaHCO_3` contains one bicarbonate ion:
`\rm {HCO_3}^(-)`. Each bicarbonate ion will consume one hydrogen ion to produce water and carbon dioxide:

`\rm {HCO_3}^(-) + H^(+) \to H_2O + CO_2`.

For this chemical equation to balance, the number of hydrogen ions that
`\rm C_2H_4 O_2` supplies shall be the same as the number of these ions that
`\rm NaHCO_3` consumes. Each unit of
`\rm C_2H_4 O_2` supplies one unit of hydrogen ions while each unit of
`\rm NaHCO_3` consumes one unit of hydrogen ions. Reacting the two at a one-to-one ratio will make sure that this reaction neither run short of hydrogen ions or produce more hydrogen ions than it need.

Hence the coefficient in front of
`\rm C_2H_4 O_2` and
`\rm NaHCO_3` shall be the same. Let their coefficients be one.

`\rm 1\; C_2H_4 O_2 + 1\;NaHCO_3 \to ?\;NaC_2H_3O_2 + ?\;H_2O + ?\;CO_2`.

Now, balance this equation with reference to the number of atoms:

• One Na atom;
• Five H atoms;
• Five O atoms;
• Three C atoms.

`\rm 1\; C_2H_4 O_2 + 1\;NaHCO_3 \to 1\;NaC_2H_3O_2 + 1\;H_2O + 1\;CO_2`.