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When a chemical reaction is taking place, as illustrated here, what does X represent?

Sulfuric acid + X = salt + water + carbon dioxide

A. Potassium
B. Copper (II) oxide
C. Sodium carbonate
D. Magnesium hydroxide

User Nick Chubb
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The missing reactant X that when reacts with sulfuric acid produces salt, water, and carbon dioxide is sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃). So the answer is C. Sodium carbonate.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a chemical reaction involving sulfuric acid is taking place and the products are salt, water, and carbon dioxide, the missing reactant X is most likely a carbonate compound, since carbonates react with acids to release carbon dioxide.

Given the options, sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) would react with sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) to form a salt (sodium sulfate:

Na₂SO₄), water (H₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂). So the correct answer is C. Sodium carbonate.

This can be represented as follows :

H₂SO₄ (aq) + Na₂CO₃ (aq) → Na₂SO₄ (aq) + CO₂ (g) + H₂O (l).

User Chris Pushbullet
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