Answer:
H2A(aq) + 2OH−(aq)→ 2H2O(l) + 2A−(aq)
Step-by-step explanation:
The formula for tartaric acid is C4H6O6(HOOCCOHHCHOHCOOH) We will use the formula H2A to symbolize the acid, since it is a diprotic (has two ionizable hydrogens) acid.
The balanced full molecular equation for the reaction between tartaric acid and sodium hydroxide is:
H2A(aq) +2NaOH (aq) → 2H2O(l) + Na2A(aq)
Tartaric acid is a weak acid, so it is only partially dissociated in aqueous solution. Thus the complete ionic equation would be as follows:
H2A(aq) + 2Na+(aq) +2OH− (aq) → 2H2O(l) + 2Na+(aq) + 2A−(aq)
The sodium ion (Na+) is a spectator ion and can be eliminated from the equation to obtain the net ionic equation:
H2A(aq)+2OH−(aq)→2H2O(l)+2A−(aq)