NaOH + HNO₃ ----> ?
This is a double replacement reaction. The general equation for double replacement reactions is:
AB + CD ----> AD + BC
To predict the products of this reaction we have to "exchange" the ions. Also, when an acid reacts with an hydroxide, we produce a salt and water.
sodium hydroxide + nitric acid -----> sodium nitrate + water
NaOH + HNO₃ -----> NaNO₃ + H₂O
To determine if the equation is balanced we have to find the number of atoms of each element that we have on both sides of the equation.
NaOH + HNO₃ -----> NaNO₃ + H₂O
Na: 1 Na: 1
O: 4 O: 4
H: 2 H: 2
N: 1 N: 1
We have the same amount of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. Then the equation is balanced.
Answer: NaOH + HNO₃ -----> NaNO₃ + H₂O