Question #5fb9b

1 Answer
Kathryn Bell
Nov 24, 2017

#NaOH(aq) + CO_2 -> NaHCO_3(aq)#

Explanation:

This is a two stage reaction.

The carbon dioxide first reacts with water to form the intermediate, carbonic acid:

#CO_2 + H_2O(l) -> H_2CO_3(aq)#

Then the carbonic acid reacts with sodium hydroxide to form the product, sodium bicarbonate:

#H_2CO_3(aq) + NaOH(aq) ->NaHCO_3(aq) + H_2O(l)#

We can combine these equations to get an overall summary of the reaction:

#CO_2 + H_2O(l) + H_2CO_3(aq) + NaOH(aq) -> NaHCO_3(aq) + H_2O(l) + H_2CO_3(aq)#

This isn't very easy to read, so we cancel out #H_2O# and #H_2CO_3# from both sides (just like you would do with a mathematical equation), and we are left with our summary equation:

#NaOH(aq) + CO_2 -> NaHCO_3(aq)#

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