Write the balanced neutralization equation for sulfuric acid neutralizing sodium hydroxide.

Write the balanced neutralization equation for sulfuric acid neutralizing sodium hydroxide.

• A. H2SO4 + 2 NaOH → Na2SO4 + 2 H2O
• B. H2SO4 + NaOH → NaHSO4 + H2O
• C. H2SO4 + NaOH → Na2SO4 + H2
• D. 2 H2SO4 + NaOH → Na2SO4 + 2 H2O

Answer: (A)

Neutralization reactions between acids and bases form a salt and water. Sulfuric acid has two acidic hydrogens, so you need two hydroxide ions to remove both H+. That gives sodium ions pairing with the sulfate to form sodium sulfate, Na2SO4, and the two hydrogens combine with the hydroxides to make two water molecules. Balanced, the equation is H2SO4 + 2 NaOH → Na2SO4 + 2 H2O. This satisfies atom and charge balance: Na2SO4 contains two Na, one sulfate, and two water molecules supply the extra hydrogens and oxygens. The other forms either reflect only partial neutralization (forming NaHSO4) or incorrect balancing, or would imply hydrogen gas, which isn’t produced in this standard acid–base reaction.

Neutralization reactions between acids and bases form a salt and water. Sulfuric acid has two acidic hydrogens, so you need two hydroxide ions to remove both H+. That gives sodium ions pairing with the sulfate to form sodium sulfate, Na2SO4, and the two hydrogens combine with the hydroxides to make two water molecules. Balanced, the equation is H2SO4 + 2 NaOH → Na2SO4 + 2 H2O. This satisfies atom and charge balance: Na2SO4 contains two Na, one sulfate, and two water molecules supply the extra hydrogens and oxygens. The other forms either reflect only partial neutralization (forming NaHSO4) or incorrect balancing, or would imply hydrogen gas, which isn’t produced in this standard acid–base reaction.