For a lab, I have to write out the balanced equation for the titration of vinegar (containing acetic acid) with sodium hydroxide. But I am unsure of how to split up vinegar...

Question

For a lab, I have to write out the balanced equation for the titration of vinegar (containing acetic acid) with sodium hydroxide. But I am unsure of how to split up vinegar... CH₃COOH + NaOH --> ? I need help writing out the products... Lucy

DrBob222 · Answer

Remember this. Acid + base = salt + water.
The H that makes the acetic acid and acid is the last one you wrote in the formula, which I put in bold. The OH from the NaOH then reacts with that to form HOH (H2O--water) and the salt that is left is CH3COONa.
CH3COOH + HONa --> HOH + CH3COONa