Answered

Select the correct answer from each drop-down menu.

[tex]\[ 2 \, \text{NaOH} + \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \rightarrow \text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \][/tex]

The equation is [tex]$\square$[/tex] because the number of hydrogen atoms and [tex]$\square$[/tex] atoms is [tex]$\square$[/tex] in the reactants and in the products.



Answer :

GinnyAnswer
The equation is not balanced because the number of hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms is not equal in the reactants and in the products.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how we determine this:

1. Number of Sodium (Na) Atoms:
- In the reactants: There are 2 Na atoms from 2 NaOH.
- In the products: There are 2 Na atoms from Na₂SO₄.
- Sodium atoms are balanced.

2. Number of Hydrogen (H) Atoms:
- In the reactants: There are 2 H atoms from NaOH and 2 H atoms from H₂SO₄, making a total of 4 H atoms.
- In the products: There are 2 H atoms from H₂O.
- Hydrogen atoms are not balanced.

3. Number of Oxygen (O) Atoms:
- In the reactants: There are 2 O atoms from NaOH and 4 O atoms from H₂SO₄, making a total of 6 O atoms.
- In the products: There are 4 O atoms from Na₂SO₄ and 1 O atom from H₂O, making a total of 5 O atoms.
- Oxygen atoms are not balanced.

4. Number of Sulfur (S) Atoms:
- In the reactants: There is 1 S atom from H₂SO₄.
- In the products: There is 1 S atom from Na₂SO₄.
- Sulfur atoms are balanced.

Since the number of hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the reactants and products are not equal, the equation is not balanced.