Question

For the reaction Na + H2O → NaOH + H2, what are the reactants, products, and correct coefficients in the balanced equation? Reactants: 1Na and 1H2O; products: 1NaOH and 1H2 Products: 2Na and 1H2O; reactants: 2NaOH and 1H2 Products: 3Na and 2H2O; reactants: 3NaOH and 2H2 Reactants: 2Na and 2H2O; products: 2NaOH and 1H2

Answer 1

The correct answer is reactants 2Na and 2H₂O and products 2NaOH and 1H₂.  

The given unbalanced chemical equation is:  

Na (s) + H2O (l) → NaOH (aq) + H₂ (g)

From the equation, it can be seen that there are three atoms of hydrogen on the products side, however, only two on the reactant's side. So, in order to balance the equation, one needs to multiply the sodium hydroxide by 2 to get a total of 4 atoms of hydrogen on the product's side.  

This will enable one to readily double the number of molecules of water to get 4 atoms of hydrogen on the reactants side, and then balance the atoms of sodium by multiplying the sodium metal by 2. The balanced equation obtained is:  

2Na (s) + 2H₂O (l) → 2NaOH (aq) + H₂ (g)

Answer 2

Answer:

Reactants: 2Na and 2H2O; products: 2NaOH and 1H2

Explanation:

Because 2 Na + 2 H2O = 2 NaOH + H2