Question

Molecular, Complete Ionic, and Net Ionic Equations: Write the molecular equation for the reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

a. HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H₂O
b. 2HCl + 2NaOH → 2NaCl + 2H₂O
c. HCl + 2NaOH → Na₂Cl + H₂O
d. 2HCl + Na₂O → 2NaCl + H₂O

Answer 1

The molecular equation for the reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl (aq) + H₂O (1). The complete ionic equation is H+ (aq) + Cl¯(aq) +Na+ (aq) +OH¯ (aq) → H₂O(1) +Na+ (aq) +Cl¯ (aq). The net ionic equation is H+ (aq) + OH(aq) → H₂O(l).

Step-by-step explanation:

The molecular equation for the reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl (aq) + H₂O (1). The complete ionic equation shows the electrolytes dissociated into ions as they actually exist in the water phase, which is H+ (aq) + Cl¯(aq) +Na+ (aq) +OH¯ (aq) → H₂O(1) +Na+ (aq) +Cl¯ (aq).

The net ionic equation shows the substances that are not spectator ions after canceling out the spectator ions from the complete ionic equation, which is H+ (aq) + OH(aq) → H₂O(l).