Write the chemical equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with sodium bicarbonate

General
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write the chemical equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with sodium bicarbonate

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Write the chemical equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with sodium bicarbonate

Answer:

When ethanoic acid (also known as acetic acid, \text{CH}_3\text{COOH}) reacts with sodium bicarbonate (also known as baking soda, \text{NaHCO}_3), a chemical reaction occurs that produces three products: sodium acetate (\text{CH}_3\text{COONa}), carbon dioxide gas (\text{CO}_2), and water (\text{H}_2\text{O}).

Chemical Reaction:

The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:

\text{CH}_3\text{COOH} (aq) + \text{NaHCO}_3 (s) \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{COONa} (aq) + \text{CO}_2 (g) + \text{H}_2\text{O} (l)

Explanation of the Reaction

  1. Reactants:

    • Ethanoic Acid (\text{CH}_3\text{COOH}): A weak acid commonly found in vinegar.
    • Sodium Bicarbonate (\text{NaHCO}_3): A weak base used often as a leavening agent in baking.

  2. Products:

    • Sodium Acetate (\text{CH}_3\text{COONa}): A salt that remains in the solution.
    • Carbon Dioxide (\text{CO}_2): A gas that is responsible for the fizzing or bubbling observed during the reaction.
    • Water (\text{H}_2\text{O}): The simplest liquid involved in this reaction.

Observations During the Reaction

  • Fizzing/Bubbling: As the reaction progresses, you will notice bubbles forming due to the release of carbon dioxide gas.
  • Solution Formation: Sodium acetate remains dissolved in the aqueous medium, which means there are no solid precipitates.

Applications and Importance

This reaction is used in various applications:

  • Baking: The release of carbon dioxide helps in the rising of dough.
  • Experimentation: Often employed in simple laboratory experiments to demonstrate acid-base reactions.
  • Cleaning: The breakdown products (water and carbon dioxide) are harmless, making sodium bicarbonate and vinegar a popular combination for eco-friendly cleaning solutions.

Understanding this reaction is fundamental in chemistry due to its practical implications and its role in illustrating the interaction between acids and bases. It’s an exothermic reaction, meaning it releases heat, although the amount of heat released is not significant enough to change the temperature drastically in most scenarios.

If you have any further questions or need more examples related to this type of chemical reaction, feel free to ask! @username