Question

Balance the following chemical equations:H2SO4 (aq) + NaOH (aq) ⎯⎯→ Na2SO4 (aq) + H2O (l)Al (s) + HCl (aq) ⎯⎯→ AlCl3 (aq) + H2 (g)

Answer 1

Answer:

H2SO4(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) > Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)

2Al(s) + 3HCl(aq) > 2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2(g)

Answer 2

Answer:

Balanced equations:

1. H2SO4(aq) + 2NaOH(aq)  →  Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)

2. 2Al(s) + 6HCl(aq)  →  2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2(g)

A chemical equation shows the reaction of reactants to give products. The number of atoms of the reactants and the products needs to be balanced.

According to the law of conservation of mass, the mass of each element in the products and the mass of each element in the reactants of a chemical reaction should be equal as the atoms of each element does not change during a chemical reaction. This is why chemical equations should be balanced.