Question

select the correct answer from each drop - down menu. 2naoh + h₂so₄ → na₂so₄ + h₂o the equation is because the number of hydrogen atoms and atoms is in the reactants and in the products.

Explanation:

Step1: Count hydrogen atoms

On the reactant side: In $2NaOH$, there are $2$ hydrogen atoms from $2NaOH$ and $2$ hydrogen atoms from $H_2SO_4$, so a total of $2 + 2=4$ hydrogen atoms. On the product side, in $H_2O$, if we balance the equation correctly, we should have $4$ hydrogen atoms. Currently, it is un - balanced as written.

Step2: Count oxygen atoms

On the reactant side: In $2NaOH$, there are $2$ oxygen atoms from $2NaOH$ and $4$ oxygen atoms from $H_2SO_4$, so a total of $2 + 4 = 6$ oxygen atoms. On the product side, in $Na_2SO_4$ there are $4$ oxygen atoms and in $H_2O$ there should be $2$ oxygen atoms when balanced correctly.

Step3: Balance the equation

The balanced equation is $2NaOH + H_2SO_4=Na_2SO_4 + 2H_2O$. Now, for hydrogen atoms: Reactants have $2$ (from $2NaOH$) $+ 2$ (from $H_2SO_4$) $= 4$ and products have $2\times2$ (from $2H_2O$) $ = 4$. For oxygen atoms: Reactants have $2$ (from $2NaOH$) $+ 4$ (from $H_2SO_4$) $=6$ and products have $4$ (from $Na_2SO_4$) $+ 2$ (from $2H_2O$) $=6$.

Answer:

The equation is un - balanced because the number of hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms is not equal in the reactants and in the products. After balancing, the equation is $2NaOH + H_2SO_4=Na_2SO_4 + 2H_2O$ where the number of hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms is equal in the reactants and in the products.