When a few drops of NaOH (sodium hydroxide) solution are added to Na2CO3 (sodium carbonate) solution, the following reaction takes place:
Na2CO3 + 2NaOH → 2Na2CO3 + H2O
Here’s what happens…
1. Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is a salt that can undergo a reaction with a strong base like sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
2. When NaOH is added to the Na2CO3 solution, the hydroxide ions (OH-) from NaOH react with the carbonate ions (CO3^2-) from Na2CO3, forming bicarbonate ions (HCO3-).
3. The overall reaction produces more sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and water (H2O) as the products.
The reaction can be summarized as follows:
Reactants:
Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
Reaction:
Na2CO3 + 2NaOH → 2Na2CO3 + H2O
Products:
Increased concentration of sodium carbonate (2Na2CO3)
Water (H2O)
The addition of NaOH to Na2CO3 solution shifts the equilibrium of the reaction towards the production of more sodium carbonate, resulting in an increased concentration of Na2CO3 in the solution.