Question

What is the net ionic equation for the acid/base neutralization reaction described below?

50 mL of 1 M NaOH are added into the calorimeter with a temperature of 23.5 degrees Celsius. 50 mL of 1 M HCl with a temperature of 23.6 degrees Celsius are added. The final temperature is 30.9 degrees Celsius.
[NaOH (aq) + HCl (aq) → NaCl (aq) + H₂O (l)]
A) (Na⁺ + Cl⁻ → NaCl)
B) (H⁺ + OH⁻ → H₂O)
C) (NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H₂O)
D) (Na⁺ + OH⁻ + H⁺ + Cl⁻ → NaCl + H₂O)

Answer 1

The net ionic equation for the acid/base neutralization between NaOH and HCl is b. (H+ + OH- → H2O), which corresponds with option B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The net ionic equation for the neutralization reaction between NaOH (sodium hydroxide) and HCl (hydrochloric acid) is given by option B: (H+ + OH- → H2O). This equation essentially shows the formation of water from hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions which are the acid and base components in the reaction.

Spectator ions like Na+ and Cl- are not included in the net ionic equation because they do not participate in the actual chemical change; they remain unchanged and in solution before and after the reaction.