Skip to main content

How would I write a well-balanced chemical equation for a reaction between carbonic acid and potassium hydroxide?

When carbonic acid reacts with potassium hydroxide, we get potassium carbonate and water. This reaction can be written as:


`H_2CO_3 (aq) + KOH (aq) -> K_2CO_3 (aq) + H_2O (l)`


Here, carbonic acid is a weak acid and potassium hydroxide is a strong base. 


The above reaction is not balanced. A balanced equation has the same number of atoms of each element on both sides. Here, potassium, hydrogen, and oxygen are not balanced—you can count...

When carbonic acid reacts with potassium hydroxide, we get potassium carbonate and water. This reaction can be written as:


`H_2CO_3 (aq) + KOH (aq) -> K_2CO_3 (aq) + H_2O (l)`


Here, carbonic acid is a weak acid and potassium hydroxide is a strong base. 


The above reaction is not balanced. A balanced equation has the same number of atoms of each element on both sides. Here, potassium, hydrogen, and oxygen are not balanced—you can count the number of atoms of each of these elements on both sides of the equation and verify.


The equation can be balanced and written as:


`H_2CO_3 (aq) + 2KOH (aq) -> K_2CO_3 (aq) + 2H_2O (l)`


Here we can see that 1 mole of carbonic acid reacts with 2 moles of potassium hydroxide and generates 1 mole of potassium carbonate and 2 moles of water.


Hope this helps.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is hyperbole in the story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his... The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him plu
Post a Comment
Read more

How can I analyze Moon and Six Pence by Somerset Maugham?

In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of... In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of that society. His decision to e
Post a Comment
Read more

What are some literary devices in Macbeth, Act V, Scene 1?

Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not... Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh! oh, oh! (5.1.53-55) Hyperbole - Obvious exaggeration  There is also h
Post a Comment
Read more