Question

Use the unbalanced chemical equation to answer the question. 2NaHCO3 −> Na2CO3 + CO2 Which of the following can be added to the products to balance the equation? (1 point) Responses O2 cap o sub 2 CH2OH cap c cap h sub 2 cap o cap h H2O cap h sub 2 cap o H2

Answer 1

To balance the unbalanced chemical equation \(2 \text{NaHCO}_3 \rightarrow \text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3 + \text{CO}_2\), we need to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Looking at the products:

- On the left side, we have:
- Sodium (Na): 2 atoms
- Carbon (C): 2 atoms (1 from Na2CO3 and 1 from CO2)
- Hydrogen (H): 2 atoms (from 2 NaHCO3)
- Oxygen (O): 6 atoms (2 from NaHCO3 supports + 3 from Na2CO3 and CO2)

- Now looking at potential options you can add to the products, we can analyze their contribution to balancing the equation.

Among the given options, \( \text{H}_2\text{O} \) can help balance the hydrogen (H) atoms. The balanced equation might look something like:

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

In summary, adding \( \text{H}_2\text{O} \) can help balance the equation.