Question

baking soda (nahco₃) is a common ingredient in muffins. it decomposes when heated to produce sodium carbonate (na₂co₃), water vapor (h₂o), and carbon dioxide gas (co₂), which helps the muffins rise. which chemical equation accurately represents this reaction? 4nahco₃(s)→2na₂co₃(s)+co₂(g)+2h₂o(g) 2nahco₃(s)→na₂co₃(s)+2co₂(g)+h₂o(g) 2nahco₃(s)→na₂co₃(s)+co₂(g)+2h₂o(g) 2nahco₃(s)→na₂co₃(s)+co₂(g)+h₂o(g)

Explanation:

Step1: Count atoms on both sides

For \(Na\): In \(NaHCO_3\), each formula unit has 1 \(Na\) atom. In \(Na_2CO_3\), each formula unit has 2 \(Na\) atoms.
For \(C\): In \(NaHCO_3\), each formula unit has 1 \(C\) atom. In \(Na_2CO_3\) there is 1 \(C\) atom and in \(CO_2\) there is 1 \(C\) atom.
For \(O\): In \(NaHCO_3\), each formula unit has 3 \(O\) atoms. In \(Na_2CO_3\) there are 3 \(O\) atoms, in \(CO_2\) there are 2 \(O\) atoms and in \(H_2O\) there is 1 \(O\) atom.
For \(H\): In \(NaHCO_3\), each formula unit has 1 \(H\) atom. In \(H_2O\) each formula unit has 2 \(H\) atoms.

Step2: Check the balanced equation

Let's check the equation \(2NaHCO_{3(s)}\to Na_{2}CO_{3(s)}+CO_{2(g)}+H_{2}O_{(g)}\)

• \(Na\): Left side \(2\times1 = 2\), Right side \(2\times1= 2\)
• \(C\): Left side \(2\times1 = 2\), Right side \(1 + 1=2\)
• \(O\): Left side \(2\times3=6\), Right side \(3 + 2+1 = 6\)
• \(H\): Left side \(2\times1 = 2\), Right side \(2\times1=2\)

Answer:

\(2NaHCO_{3(s)}\to Na_{2}CO_{3(s)}+CO_{2(g)}+H_{2}O_{(g)}\) (the last option in the given choices)