Question

What mass of hydrochloric acid (in grams) can be neutralized by 2.2 g of sodium bicarbonate? (Hint: Begin by writing a balanced equation for the reaction between aqueous sodium bicarbonate and aqueous hydrochloric acid.)

Answer 1

The reaction between hydrochloric acid & sodium bicarbonate is :

HCl + NaHCO₃ NaCl + H₂O + CO₂

Molar mass of HCl is = At.mass of H + At.mass of Cl

                              = 1+35.5

                              = 36.5 g/mol

Molar mass of NaHCO₃ = At.mass of Na + At.mass of H + At.mass of C + (3xAt.mass of O)

                                   = 23+1+12+(3x16)

                                   = 84 g/mol

According to the balanced equation ,

1 mole of HCl reacts with 1 mole of NaHCO₃

                               OR

1x36.5 g of HCl reacts with 1x84 g of NaHCO₃

M g of HCl reacts with 2.2 g of NaHCO₃

M = (36.5x2.2) / 84

   = 0.96 g

Therefore the mass of HCl required is 0.96 g