Question

BALANCING: Na2SO3 (aq) + H2SO4(aq)

PLEASE explain your answer. im fine w balancing, im just confused with trying to find the reaction formula. i know the answer, i need to know HOW you got it (ive looked everywhere and cant find an explanation for why you get the H20 and the SO2 in the answer)

Answer 1

The balanced equation is as follows

Na₂SO₃ (aq) + H₂SO₄(aq) ----------------------> Na₂SO₄ (aq) + SO₂ (g) + H₂O(l)

the complete ionic equation is as follows

2 Na⁺(aq) + SO₃^2-(aq) + 2 H⁺(aq) + SO₄^2-(aq) --------------------> 2 Na⁺(aq) + SO₄^2-(aq) + SO₂ (g) + H₂O(l)

the net ionic equation is as follows

SO₃^2-(aq) + 2 H⁺(aq) -----------------------> SO₂ (g) + H₂O(l)

here the H2SO4 reacts with Na2SO3 and the Na2SO4 salt is formed with the evolution of SO2 gas and the water is formed during the reaction by the displacement reaction