[Noobert]

I am having trouble balencing equations like the one below... FOr some reason I can balence everything except for the O in H20 can someone do this problem and show me how? Thanks.


Sodium carbonate + nitric acid (HNO3) -> sodium nitrate + water + carbon dioxide.

[savy2020]

Well, first write the equation using molecular formulas for the compounds included in the reaction.

[Noobert]

I know the steps I just cant solve this one... but if you dont know the molcular formula here it is...

NaCO3 + HNO3->  NaSO4 + H20 + CO2

[savy2020]

I don't think it is correct....Are you sure or is it any typo?
 I think only possible mistakes in balancing Qs are writing wrong MFs

[JGK]

I know the steps I just cant solve this one... but if you dont know the molcular formula here it is...

NaCO3 + HNO3->  NaSO4 + H20 + CO2

Are you sure?

[Noobert]

it is right./.

[Borek]

it is right./.

No, it is not right. Both formulas for sodium carbonate and for sodium sulfate are wrong.

[Like_A_Whisper]

NaCO3 + HNO3->  NaSO4 + H20 + CO2

This isn't right... You need to learn valency of the acid groups(I think you know what i mean).
Example: H2SO4 - This is Sulfuric acid right? So you orient from the hydrogen(Because it always has 1 valency). Here you have 2 hydrogen atoms which have 1 valency and you have 1 SO4 acid group which must have a valency of 2.
I don't think you understand me good because I don't know how to talk chemistry language with English. I'm sorry

So in your equation:
H2CO3 - Carbonic acid. The same method applies here. The CO3 acid group has 2 valency
Na - Sodium has 1 valency
2Na + H2CO3 -> Na2CO3 + H2
You should use Na2CO3

NaSO4 + H20 + CO2 - Are you sure about these commodities(products)... Because i have never seen this.
Anyways here is what i think it is right:

Na2CO3 + 2HNO3 -> 2NaNO3 + H2CO3
P.S: Friends, I'm 90% sure this is true. Correct me if I'm wrong.

King regards, Igor

[savy2020]

I think H₂CO₃ won't be formed...
H₂O + CO₂ is correct ..
But why so..? I don't know
Anyone?

[Borek]

H₂CO₃ is unstable and decomposes fast in the presence of water. From what I remember WM calculations shows that pure anhydrous carbonic acid should be stable, but its decomposition is autocatalytic.

[Schrödinger]

H₂CO₃ is unstable and decomposes fast in the presence of water. From what I remember WM calculations shows that pure anhydrous carbonic acid should be stable, but its decomposition is autocatalytic.

What is WM?

[savy2020]

Borek, why's H₂CO₃ unstable? Why it decomposes? Any thermodynamic factor?