Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) combine to make table salt (NaCl) and water (H2O). Which equation is balanced?(1 point)

Question

Responses

2NaOH + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H2O
2NaOH + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H 2 O

2NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O
2NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H 2 O

NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O
NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H 2 O

NaOH + 2HCl → NaCl + H2O

Answer 1

To determine which equation is balanced, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

The reaction between sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) produces sodium chloride (NaCl) and water (H2O). The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:

NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O

Now, let's evaluate the provided responses:

1. 2NaOH + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H2O

   • This is not balanced because there are 4 H on the left side and 3 H on the right side.

2. 2NaOH + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H 2 O

   • Same issue as above; it is not balanced.

3. 2NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O

   • This is also not balanced; there are 2 Na and 2 H on the left, but only 1 Na and 2 H on the right.

4. 2NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H 2 O

   • Same issue as above; it is not balanced.

5. NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O

   • This is balanced; there is 1 Na, 1 Cl, and 1 O on both sides and the number of H is also balanced.

6. NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H 2 O

   • This is also balanced, identical to the previous line.

7. NaOH + 2HCl → NaCl + H2O

   • This is not balanced; there are more H on the left than on the right.

The correct and balanced equation is:

NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O

Responses 5 and 6 (both versions of it) are the same and both represent the balanced equation.