Question

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) combine to make table salt (NaCl) and water
(H O). Which equation is balanced?(1 point) 2
NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O
2NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O
NaOH + 2HCl → NaCl + H2O
2NaOH + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H2O

Answer 1

To determine which equation is balanced, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side is equal to the number of atoms of each element on the product side.

Let's analyze each equation:

1. **NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O**
- Reactants:
- Na: 1, O: 1, H: 2, Cl: 1
- Products:
- Na: 1, Cl: 1, H: 2, O: 1
- **This equation is balanced.**

2. **2NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O**
- Reactants:
- Na: 2, O: 2, H: 3, Cl: 1
- Products:
- Na: 1, Cl: 1, H: 2, O: 1
- **This equation is not balanced.**

3. **NaOH + 2HCl → NaCl + H2O**
- Reactants:
- Na: 1, O: 1, H: 3, Cl: 2
- Products:
- Na: 1, Cl: 1, H: 2, O: 1
- **This equation is not balanced.**

4. **2NaOH + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H2O**
- Reactants:
- Na: 2, O: 2, H: 4, Cl: 2
- Products:
- Na: 2, Cl: 2, H: 2, O: 1
- **This equation is not balanced.**

Thus, the balanced equation is **NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O**.