Question
balance
H2SO4 + NaOH --> H2O + Na2SO4
so i know you need 2 Na on each side but then I cant figure out the #'s for O or H
H2SO4 + NaOH --> H2O + Na2SO4
so i know you need 2 Na on each side but then I cant figure out the #'s for O or H
Answers
DrBob222
2NaOH + H2SO4 ==> 2H2O + Na2SO4
Equations like this are balanced by inspection which in simple terms means trial and error. You learn how to do these by practice; the more practice you get the better you become. Here is the process I go through.
NaOH + H2SO4 ==> Na2SO4 + H2O
The first RULE to remember is that you MAY NOT change any of the subscripts; you may change ONLY the coefficients.
I look at the equation and I see 2 Na atoms on the right so I know to make 2 Na atoms on the left like this.
2NaOH + H2SO4 ==> Na2SO4 + H2O
That makes Na ok. The SO4 is ok so I won't bother with it. For H I count up what I have on the left side and make the right side equal to that number. I see 2 H atoms from 2NaOH and I see 2 H atoms for H2SO4. That makes 4 H atoms on the left and can get 4 H atoms on the right with 2H2O.
2NaOH + H2SO4 ==> Na2SO4 + 2H2O
How do you know it is balanced? You ALWAYS check it.
I see 2 Na on the left and right.
I see 6 O atoms on the left (2 from NaOH and 4 from H2SO4) and there are 6 on the right(4 from SO4 and 2 from 2H2O).
I see 4 H atoms on the left (2 from 2NaOH and 2 from H2SO4). There are 4 H atoms on the right from 2H2O.
Don't get discouraged. This will come along with practice.
Equations like this are balanced by inspection which in simple terms means trial and error. You learn how to do these by practice; the more practice you get the better you become. Here is the process I go through.
NaOH + H2SO4 ==> Na2SO4 + H2O
The first RULE to remember is that you MAY NOT change any of the subscripts; you may change ONLY the coefficients.
I look at the equation and I see 2 Na atoms on the right so I know to make 2 Na atoms on the left like this.
2NaOH + H2SO4 ==> Na2SO4 + H2O
That makes Na ok. The SO4 is ok so I won't bother with it. For H I count up what I have on the left side and make the right side equal to that number. I see 2 H atoms from 2NaOH and I see 2 H atoms for H2SO4. That makes 4 H atoms on the left and can get 4 H atoms on the right with 2H2O.
2NaOH + H2SO4 ==> Na2SO4 + 2H2O
How do you know it is balanced? You ALWAYS check it.
I see 2 Na on the left and right.
I see 6 O atoms on the left (2 from NaOH and 4 from H2SO4) and there are 6 on the right(4 from SO4 and 2 from 2H2O).
I see 4 H atoms on the left (2 from 2NaOH and 2 from H2SO4). There are 4 H atoms on the right from 2H2O.
Don't get discouraged. This will come along with practice.