Question

What would be the equation for NaOH + H2SO4 be?

Would the porducts be H2O + NaHSo4 or
H2O + Na2SO4?

If it's the second one, which I think it is, where does that extra H go?

Answer 1

2NaOH+H2SO4>>>Na2SO4 +2 HOH *HOH is a good way to balance these, then rewrite it as H2O)

NaOH + H2SO4>>NaHSO4 + HOH which is a possible reaction also.

So both reactions are possible, and in fact it can be a mix of products such as this..


3NaOH + 2H2SO4>>>3HOH + NaHSO4 + Na2SO4
and to add confusion, the ratio of products does not have to be 1:1, it can be balanced many other ways.

http://www.markedbyteachers.com/gcse/science/produce-two-different-metal-salts-nahso4-and-na2so4-through-an-application-of-specific-stoichiometric-ratios-in-a-reaction-of-diprotic-sulfuric-acid-h2so4-with-sodium-hydroxide-naoh.html