To balance the reaction \( 2 \text{NaHCO}_3 \rightarrow \text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3 + \text{CO}_2 \), we need to ensure that all atoms on the reactant side match those on the product side.
The reaction, as written, produces sodium carbonate (\(\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3\)) and carbon dioxide (\(\text{CO}_2\)) from sodium bicarbonate (\(\text{NaHCO}_3\)).
Now let's evaluate the options given for balancing:
- CH2OH (Methanol) – This does not balance any of the elements in the reaction.
- O2 (Oxygen gas) – This is not needed because all oxygen atoms are already accounted for.
- H2O (Water) – This can participate in reactions involving acids or bases but doesn't contribute to balancing the current reaction.
- H2 (Hydrogen gas) – This does not balance the reaction.
Given that this is a decomposition and the products are already formed, none of the options listed will balance the equation since the chemical equation is already balanced as it stands.
If you aim to maintain the balance, you wouldn’t add anything to the products. The original equation is balanced due to the conservation of mass in the formation of \( \text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3 \) and \( \text{CO}_2 \).
Thus, the best response here is that none of the provided substances can be added to balance the equation effectively. If you were to choose an answer based on the given options, then none of these substances contribute to balancing, so technically, none of the above should be applicable.
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