why cant this equation be balanced?

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entrycode
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why cant this equation be balanced?

Post by entrycode »

NaHCO3 + H2O = Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2

whats wrong with it?/whats the answer [balanced equation]?
=]
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sharan
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Post by sharan »

Hey .. I have always seen this equation as sodium bicarbonate going under combustion leading to equation
2NaHCO3 --> Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
But the thing is that sodium carbonate does dissolve in water but the problem that arises here is that since sodium bicarbonate is alkaline in nature and when it reacts with water, there is formation of hydroxide or we can also say there is formation of sodium hydroxide
so the reaction that goes here is
NaHCO3 + H2O = NaOH + H2CO3
or den you can further divide the H2CO3 into H2O and CO2 but thats like forcing two reactions to fit into one...
i hope it helps a little .. let me know if anyhow that reaction is possible..
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