Question

Write ionic equations for the following:
HCl(aq) + KOH(aq) → KCl(aq) + H2O(l)

Answer 1

HCl(aq) + KOH(aq) ===> H2O(l) + KCl(aq)

Note the stoichiometry of the balanced equations shows us that HCl and KOH react in a 1:1 mole ratio. So, let us find moles of HCl and moles of KOH that are present:

moles HCl = 250.0 ml x 1 L/1000 ml x 0.25 mol/L = 0.06250 moles HCl

moles KOH = 200.0 ml x 1 L/1000 ml x 0.40 mol/L = 0.0800 moles KOH

You can see that there are more moles of KOH than there are of HCl, meaning that KOH is in excess and after neutralizing all of the HCl, the solution will be left with excess KOH making the pH > 7 = BASIC