Question

Balance the Following:

A solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with a solution of sodium sulfide to produce gaseous dihydrogen monosulfide and a solution of sodium chloride.
a) 2HCl + Na₂S → H₂S + 2NaCl
b) HCl + Na₂S → H₂S + NaCl
c) HCl + Na₂S → NaOH + NaCl
d) 2HCl + Na₂S → 2H₂S + 2NaCl

Answer 1

The correct balanced chemical equation for the reaction of hydrochloric acid (HCl) with sodium sulfide (Na₂S) is 2HCl + Na₂S → H₂S + 2NaCl, demonstrating a typical double-replacement reaction that produces a gas and an aqueous solution.

Step-by-step explanation:

To balance the chemical equation for the reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium sulfide (Na₂S) that produces dihydrogen monosulfide (H₂S) and sodium chloride (NaCl), you need to ensure the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. The correct balanced equation is:

2HCl + Na₂S → H₂S + 2NaCl

This reaction is an example of a double-replacement reaction that produces a gaseous product, specifically hydrogen sulfide gas (H₂S), which bubbles out of the solution. The reaction also results in an aquatic solution of sodium chloride.