Balance Na₂CO₃ + HCl → NaCl + H₂O + CO₂
Na₂CO₃(s) + 2 HCl(aq) → 2 NaCl(aq) + H₂O(l) + CO₂(g)
Balance an equation
Na₂CO₃(s)+2HCl(aq)→2NaCl(aq)+H₂O(l)+CO₂(g)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| Na | 2:1 | 2:2 |
| C | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| O | 3:3 | 3:3 |
| H | 1:2 | 2:2 |
| Cl | 1:1 | 2:2 |
Check atoms
How to balance it, step by step
- Count the atoms of each element on both sides, as written.
- Start with the biggest formula, Na₂CO₃: put 1 in front of it.
- Na: 2 on the left. Put 2 in front of NaCl.
- C: 1 on the left. Put 1 in front of CO₂.
- Cl: 2 on the right. Put 2 in front of HCl.
- H: 2 on the left. Put 1 in front of H₂O (1 × 2 = 2).
- Check: Na 2 = 2, C 1 = 1, O 3 = 3, H 2 = 2, Cl 2 = 2. Balanced.
What happens
It is a double displacement reaction: two compounds swap their ions. A carbonate reacts with an acid to give a salt, water and carbon dioxide, which turns lime water milky.
Sodium carbonate and hydrochloric acid: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for sodium carbonate and hydrochloric acid?
Na₂CO₃(s) + 2 HCl(aq) → 2 NaCl(aq) + H₂O(l) + CO₂(g). The coefficients are 1, 2, 2, 1 and 1. Each side then has 2 Na, 1 C, 3 O, 2 H and 2 Cl.
What type of reaction is sodium carbonate and hydrochloric acid?
It is a double displacement reaction: two compounds swap their ions. A carbonate reacts with an acid to give a salt, water and carbon dioxide, which turns lime water milky.
How do you balance Na₂CO₃ + HCl → NaCl + H₂O + CO₂?
Start with the biggest formula, Na₂CO₃: put 1 in front of it. Na: 2 on the left. Put 2 in front of NaCl. C: 1 on the left. Put 1 in front of CO₂. Cl: 2 on the right. Put 2 in front of HCl. H: 2 on the left. Put 1 in front of H₂O (1 × 2 = 2). Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.