Question

Use the unbalanced chemical equation to answer the question. %0D%0A%0D%0A2NaHCO3 −> Na2CO3 + CO2%0D%0A2%0D%0A𝑁%0D%0A𝑎%0D%0A𝐻%0D%0A𝐶%0D%0A𝑂%0D%0A3%0D%0A %0D%0A−%0D%0A>%0D%0A %0D%0A𝑁%0D%0A𝑎%0D%0A2%0D%0A𝐶%0D%0A𝑂%0D%0A3%0D%0A %0D%0A+%0D%0A %0D%0A𝐶%0D%0A𝑂%0D%0A2%0D%0A%0D%0AWhich of the following can be added to the products to balance the equation?%0D%0A%0D%0A(1 point)%0D%0AResponses%0D%0A%0D%0AO2%0D%0A𝑂%0D%0A2%0D%0Acap o sub 2%0D%0A%0D%0ACH2OH%0D%0A𝐶%0D%0A𝐻%0D%0A2%0D%0A𝑂%0D%0A𝐻%0D%0Acap c cap h sub 2 cap o cap h%0D%0A%0D%0AH2%0D%0A𝐻%0D%0A2%0D%0Acap h sub 2%0D%0A%0D%0AH2O

Answer 1

To balance the unbalanced chemical equation:

\[ 2\text{NaHCO}_3 \rightarrow \text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3 + \text{CO}_2 \]

Let's analyze the reaction:

1. **Reactants:**
- Sodium (Na): 2 from 2 NaHCO₃
- Hydrogen (H): 2 from 2 NaHCO₃
- Carbon (C): 2 from 2 NaHCO₃
- Oxygen (O): 6 from 2 NaHCO₃ (3 from each NaHCO₃)

2. **Products:**
- Sodium (Na): 2 from Na₂CO₃
- Carbon (C): 2 (1 from Na₂CO₃ and 1 from CO₂)
- Oxygen (O): 5 (3 from Na₂CO₃ and 2 from CO₂)
- Hydrogen (H): 0

To balance the equation, we see that we are missing 2 hydrogen and one oxygen to balance oxygen.

The options provided for adding to the products are:
1. O₂
2. H₂O
3. H₂
4. CH₂OH

**Analysis**:
- O₂ would introduce more oxygen atoms without hydrogen, complicating the balance further.
- H₂O would add both hydrogen and oxygen, which can help in balancing the overall equation.
- H₂ would only add hydrogen atoms but no contributions to the missing oxygen.
- CH₂OH is not typically a substance that would be formed or used in this type of reaction.

Among these, **H₂O (water)** is the most suitable addition to balance the equation, as it provides additional hydrogen and oxygen needed.

Thus, to balance the equation, we can add:

\[ H_2O \]

So the balanced reaction can be adjusted as:

\[ 2\text{NaHCO}_3 \rightarrow \text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3 + \text{CO}_2 + H_2O \]

Hence, the best option is **H₂O**.