Using the law of conservation of mass, explain why the following reaction is wrong: HCl + NaOH ----> NaCl?

Answer 1

You're missing water (H2O) as the other product.

Skylor Williams

Answer 2

The equation is incomplete.

Basically, whatever elements you start out with on the left hand side of the equation must appear in some way, shape or form on the right side as well (after the chemical reaction occurs).

HCl is hydrochloric acid. NaOH is sodium hydroxide, a base. If I remember my chemistry correctly, when you combine an acid and a base, they neutralize each other and you get a salt (NaCl - common table salt) and some water (H2O).

In this case, the equation does not account for where the hydrogen or oxygen went after the equation.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

there's one dude here who says the reaction is actually backwards. tat's rubbish. salt with water does not produce acid and base.
HCl is an acid, while NaOH is an alkali (which is an aqueous base). when acid and base react, they will always produce a salt. additionally, if its an acid reacting with an alkali (which is a subset of a base) u will get a salt and water. actually its a salt solution, but u must write down H2O because all chemical equations follow the Law of Conservation of Mass, and every atom that took part in the reaction must be accounted for and does not "disappear" (even if its a gas, u MUST write down wad it is)
it must be: HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) -------> NaCl (aq) + H2O(l)

in tis case, the salt is water soluble, so u must state it is (aq). if u haf an insoluble salt, it's (s) but tats a whole diff story altogether. (acid with alkali will always produce a soluble salt)

Answer 4

It's actually backward.
NaCl+H20 --> NaOH + HCl

and, you left out the H20 after the NaCl. The reaction will only go one direction, the equation I gave.

Answer 5

you can't have hydrogen and oxygen as a reactant and make it just disappear. that's a start for you.