Balance NaOH + H₂SO₄ → Na₂SO₄ + H₂O
2 NaOH(aq) + H₂SO₄(aq) → Na₂SO₄(aq) + 2 H₂O(l)
Balance an equation
2NaOH(aq)+H₂SO₄(aq)→Na₂SO₄(aq)+2H₂O(l)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| Na | 1:2 | 2:2 |
| O | 5:5 | 6:6 |
| H | 3:2 | 4:4 |
| S | 1:1 | 1:1 |
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, H₂SO₄: put 1 in front of it.
- S: 1 on the left. Put 1 in front of Na₂SO₄.
- Na: 2 on the right. Put 2 in front of NaOH.
- H: 4 on the left. Put 2 in front of H₂O (2 × 2 = 4).
- Check: Na 2 = 2, O 6 = 6, H 4 = 4, S 1 = 1. Balanced.
What happens
It is a neutralisation reaction: an acid, or an acidic oxide, reacts with a base to give a salt and water. A base and an acid neutralise each other to give a salt, sodium sulphate, and water.
Sodium hydroxide and sulphuric acid: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for sodium hydroxide and sulphuric acid?
2 NaOH(aq) + H₂SO₄(aq) → Na₂SO₄(aq) + 2 H₂O(l). The coefficients are 2, 1, 1 and 2. Each side then has 2 Na, 6 O, 4 H and 1 S.
What type of reaction is sodium hydroxide and sulphuric acid?
It is a neutralisation reaction: an acid, or an acidic oxide, reacts with a base to give a salt and water. A base and an acid neutralise each other to give a salt, sodium sulphate, and water.
How do you balance NaOH + H₂SO₄ → Na₂SO₄ + H₂O?
Start with the biggest formula, H₂SO₄: put 1 in front of it. S: 1 on the left. Put 1 in front of Na₂SO₄. Na: 2 on the right. Put 2 in front of NaOH. H: 4 on the left. Put 2 in front of H₂O (2 × 2 = 4). Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.