Question

MaVa = MbVb can be used for the reaction between HCl and NaOH. Can it be used for the reaction between NaOH and H2C2O4 (oxalic acid, which can be found in rhubarb leaves, contains 2 acidic protons)? Explain your answer showing the balanced equation

Answer 1

So, MaVa = MbVb implies that for the same mass and volume, neutralization will be possible because of a 1:1 ratio. This is seen in HCL + NaOH reaction:
HCl + NaOH = NaCl + H20
As you can see no balancing, and there is the same coefficient in front of HCl as there is NaOH (it's a 1, so we don't put it visible)
This is different for NaOH and H2C2O4 as seen by this equation:
H2C2O4 + 2NaOH = 2H2O + Na2C2O4
While the coefficient for H2C2O4 is 1, the NaOH has a 2 in front of it. This means that for this reaction
MaVa = 2(MbVb)
and does NOT equal
MaVa = MbVb

Answer 2

Thanks for making sense of it for me!!