NaHCO3 + HC2H3O3 -> NaC2H3O2 + H2O+ CO2

Question

A student mixes baking soda and acetic acid to produce a chemical reaction shown. which statement about the reaction is correct?

atoms of Na are destroyed during the reaction
there are more H atoms after the reaction
some atoms gain mass after reaction
the atoms of the reactants are regrouped during the reaction

Answer 1

The correct statement about the reaction between baking soda (NaHCO3) and acetic acid (HC2H3O3) is:

The atoms of the reactants are regrouped during the reaction.

In a chemical reaction, the atoms are rearranged to form new substances, but no atoms are destroyed or created. This is in accordance with the law of conservation of mass. Therefore:

• Atoms of Na are not destroyed; they are rearranged into products.
• The number of H atoms before and after the reaction remains the same; they are also rearranged.
• Atoms do not gain mass during the reaction; mass is conserved.

Thus, the most accurate and scientifically valid statement is that the atoms of the reactants are regrouped during the reaction.