Consider the neutralization reaction represented by the following equation: Na2CO3 + 2HNO 3 → 2NaNO3 + H2O + CO2 The stoichiometric ratio of acid to base is
Consider the neutralization reaction represented by the following equation: Na2CO3 + 2HNO 3 → 2NaNO3 + H2O + CO2 The stoichiometric ratio of acid to base is
Answer Details
The stoichiometric ratio of acid to base refers to the ratio of the coefficients of the acid and base in a balanced chemical equation. In the given equation, the balanced equation is:
Na2CO3 + 2HNO3 → 2NaNO3 + H2O + CO2
The coefficients of HNO3 and Na2CO3 are 2 and 1 respectively. Therefore, the stoichiometric ratio of acid to base is 2:1. This means that for every 2 moles of HNO3 used in the reaction, 1 mole of Na2CO3 reacts.